Tests Show No Lead Contamination in Belleville Schools’ Water Supply

BELLEVILLE – September 20, 2019 – Acting solely with an abundance of caution, and with the new school year approaching, Mayor Michael Melham last month asked township engineers to conduct water samples within the eight public schools in Belleville.

The results are back, showing no indication of lead or other contaminants in the drinking supply.

Following the news of lead in Newark’s water, Mayor Melham directed the township engineer’s office to conduct a study of all eight schools, including Belleville High School, Belleville Junior High School and Schools 3,5,7,8,9 and 10.

Engineers collected water samples in the kitchens, bathrooms and water fountains of the schools, which were then sent to a lab for a full analysis. Township officials recently received the results, assessed and peer-reviewed the data, and are now reporting there is absolutely no issue of concern.

Township Engineer Thomas Herits, who is also the licensed water operator for the Belleville Water Department, explained the lead results were either “ND,” showing no detection of any lead, or extremely below any contaminant levels that would prompt concern.

Herits noted there are no lead service lines in the schools and, as such, there is no need to provide water filters.