Water flowing from hundreds of drinking fountains, cafeteria sinks, and other sources in several British Columbia schools has been found to contain unacceptably high levels of lead, just days before students return to the classroom.
Parents in the Surrey School district received a letter last week informing them of elevated lead levels at 63 schools built before 1990 – the year the B.C. Plumbing Code restricted the use of lead solder in pipes.
The district tested 621 water sources in total, taking one reading as soon as the tap was turned on, and another after running the water for two minutes.
The tests found 269 water sources exceeded lead content limits outlined by Health Canada when they were first turned on, but provided safe water after being flushed. Another 27 remained undrinkable by Health Canada standards after two minutes of flushing.
While the results are troubling, district spokesperson Doug Strachan is telling parents that precautions are in place to ensure students are protected.
“The water that is available to their children is safe,” he told CTV Vancouver.
Some problem water sources will be covered in plastic or disconnected until filters and replacement parts can be installed. Others will be flushed every morning before school begins.
“Every morning before school starts, there is a protocol requiring the flushing of those faucets or fountains in the school that require flushing,” said Strachan. “That will be done and logged each day until the repairs are in place.”
The quality of the water in B.C. schools gained public attention in February, when a report revealed elevated lead and copper levels in the water at a Kitimat, B.C. school years ago. The B.C. Ministry of Education ordered tests across the province in the spring.
In his letter to parents, Surrey Schools superintendent and CEO Jordan Tinney said the district will continue to monitor its water quality after the upgrades are completed. However, some parents are frustrated (the) issue was not resolved before the start of the school year.
“There must be a funding issue here or it would’ve been taken care of over the summer,” said Cindy Dalglish.
Parents can find a breakdown of the tests done at each school on the district website.
