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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Crews work to contain sheen after Oregon train derailment ... Customers thwart attempted robbery at Medford convenience store ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Crews work to contain sheen after Oregon train derailment ... Customers thwart attempted robbery at Medford convenience store ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Lead found at 2 schools; Portland students get bottled water Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted May. 31, 2016 at 7:42 PM By The Associated Press Posted May. 31, 2016 at 7:42 PM » Social News PORTLAND — A third-party, independent investigation will be conducted after high amounts of lead were found in water sources at two schools, which led the district to close all water fountains, Portland Public Schools Superintendent Carole Smith said Tuesday. Smith spoke to about 60 parents at a special school board meeting held to address their announcement last week that tests done in March found elevated levels of lead in 14 of 92 water sources at Creston K-8 School and the Rose City Park School. Officials from the district, Oregon Health Authority and Multnomah County were slated to answer questions at community meetings later Tuesday night. The district said it will provide bottled drinking water for all district students and staff through the end of the school year, until schools can be tested this summer, which happens every 15 years. The district placed bags over water fountains at all schools on Friday, Smith said. She said she can't predict the cost of testing the system, saying the district may have to use reserve funds if it tops the $450,000 budget for the project. It's possible two people could be placed on administrative leave as a result of the independent investigation, Smith said. The lack of lead testing in Oregon schools' water systems — concerns for which were largely brought to the forefront by the Flint, Michigan, water crisis — prompted Gov. Kate Brown in April to call for a statewide review of existing school processes. She directed the Oregon Health Authority, which carries out Environmental Protection Agency water regulations at the state level, and the Oregon Department of Education to also make recommendations for improvement. "Schools are not included when water systems test for lead as required by EPA, meaning that a water system may be deemed to have safe lead levels overall, while water quality at schools remains unknown," Brown said in an April statement. Earlier this year, a Flint-inspired nationwide review by the USA Today Network found that more than 2,000 water systems fell short of EPA rules for lead, ranking Oregon at No. 18. It also found EPA has handed out 180 citations to officials nationwide for failing to immediately tell the public — as was the case at the two Portland schools — when high lead levels are discovered. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted May. 31, 2016 at 7:42 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501