I am responsible for a town’s drinking water

Dear Delyara, I manage water-quality testing for a small municipality. Last week, one sample showed elevated lead levels at an elementary school. The repeat test was lower but still concerning. State officials say we need more data before making a public announcement. The mayor says releasing incomplete information could cause panic. Parents send their children to that school every morning while I wait for laboratory results. My own niece is in second grade there. My sister asked me yesterday whether the water was safe, and I said we were conducting routine testing. I have not slept more than three hours since the first result. I check every chain-of-custody form, instrument calibration, and sample location, afraid of both possibilities: that the result is wrong and I will frighten a town unnecessarily, or that it is right and every day of delay is another day children drink from those fountains. My job requires caution. My conscience demands urgency. Tomorrow, I have a meeting with officials who will speak about thresholds and communications strategy. I will be the only person in the room picturing my niece filling her water bottle.