Rowan University Finds Lead In Water, Unsure Of How Many Drank It

In early September, Rowan University announced that it had elevated lead levels in its water at several building on its main campus in Glassboro, NJ. The university had no idea how long their water had been contaminated but once identified, it acted swiftly to rectify the situation.

Rowan offered its students bottled water, disconnected its fountains, and  began a campus-wide test of water quality, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.  

The university also set up a website for updates.

When it received reports of brownish water at Linden Hall, Rowan tested that building as well as several other nearby buildings that were built around the same time, according to NJ.com.

In a letter that was sent out to students, the results of the tests indicated lead levels of about 15 ppb. Only one building that was tested did not have high lead levels, NJ.com reported.

"Memorial is the only building that was tested that's part of a different pipe system," Rowan University spokesmen, Joe Cardona, told NJ.com. "It came up clear which leads us to believe the issue is with the actual pipes, not the water itself."

Cardona added that after doing their own testing, the city of Glassboro reported its water to be at safe levels. This information ruled out the town’s water as being an issue, reported NJ.com.  

When the tests had returned, Rowan sent out a letter to students and faculty informing them of what was taking place and the actions being taken.

When lead is present in water, it cannot be seen, tasted, or smelled, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer. It can only be found through testing.

Other than at its child care facilities, Rowan has never conducted any real testing of its water, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. The law requires that child care facilities must be tested, but there is no law currently requiring colleges in New Jersey or Pennsylvania to test their water for lead.

There are many area schools, such as Rutgers University, Rowan University, and Temple University that do not have annual testing of their water, reported The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Rutgers officials said that the school has no plans to begin testing its water, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer. Following Rowan’s findings, Temple representatives said that they have started evaluating its risk.

Rowan plans a thorough study of water in every one of its building on campus. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that it has also hired a firm to help develop a long-term strategy.

To read more about lead contamination visit Water Online’s Drinking Water Contaminant Removal Solutions Center.