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Buildings reopened to the public, but NMU says don't drink the water

MARQUETTE, MI--   Northern Michigan University has reopened three buildings it closed last week, but the water remains undrinkable.

The Learning Resources Center, Thomas Fine Arts, and PEIF were closed to the public Wednesday after water in those facilities showed high lead levels. Samples from each water source were sent to an independent lab, and results show individual fixtures in each building tested above the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion.

The EPA recommends making the water non-potable and continuing to investigate individual water outlets. According to set standards the water is safe for washing, flushing, and showering.

University officials will take the following steps:  all water will be labelled as non-potable in the three buildings; drinking fountains will be made inoperable until testing says it is prudent; drinking water will be supplied by the university; each fixture that measured high will be investigated individually; and water sources will be put back online once testing shows acceptable levels.

For updated information go to nmu.edu/watertest.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.