School District 73 has put in place new protocol that will see all schools flush fountains and taps to ensure drinking water does not contain elevated levels of lead.
The decision follows the discovery that some local schools had slightly elevated levels of lead in their drinking water at the beginning of the day, the district said in a press release.
Tests conducted in all district schools showed that, in instances when water tested higher than acceptable for lead, further evaluation showed running outlets for 30 seconds to one minute flushed traces of lead from the system.
District managers decided to create flushing protocols for all schools out of an abundance of caution, said manager of health and safety Michelle Marginet.
The district said the issue of lead in school drinking water emerged as a provincial issue after elevated levels of lead were found in some Lower Mainland schools. The Ministry of Education directed all districts in the province to test their water systems.
According to School District 73, the problem occurs when water sits in pipes overnight or through the weekend and comes into prolonged contact with lead pipe solder commonly used in plumbing systems before 1990.
Once the water is running, lead levels drop below regulatory health standards. The district decided it would be best to create flushing protocol in all schools built before 1990, even in schools were no problems were measured.
The district worked with Interior Health to develop the new protocol and has instructed staff about the requirements. Parents will receive a letter from the district explaining the issue.
The school district is exploring long-term solutions, including the possibility of replacing piping in schools. Annual testing will continue to ensure the flushing protocol is working.
