Health Matters Lead in school districts water concerning, experts say

The Edmonds School District faces significant challenges due to elevated lead levels in drinking water, with Sherwood Elementary reporting a staggering 323 parts per billion. This situation highlights systemic issues, as plumbing can leach harmful substances even when the water supply meets safety standards. Experts, including Dr. Bruce Lanphear, stress that no level of lead exposure is safe, particularly for children. The district is following state mandates to replace plumbing components and has secured a $160,000 grant to fund these efforts.

New legislation requires testing of all public K-12 schools built before 2016, with corrective measures for any source exceeding 5 ppb. Water sources over 15 ppb must be immediately shut down until they meet safety standards. Multiple schools, including Hilltop Elementary, also reported elevated lead levels. This ongoing issue necessitates comprehensive solutions to ensure safe drinking water for students.