Testing will continue for lead in water at schools

Two weeks ago, officials at the Ridgefield School District learned that two of the district’s schools had elevated sources of lead in their water. 

The testing samples showed that Ridgefield High School and View Ridge Middle School were above the Washington State Department of Health rule of 20 parts per billion and the federal limit of 15 parts per billion.

After getting the news, Superintendent Dr. Nathan McCann said a full report came in, and a set of sampling containers came in for further testing.

The second round of examination with Sterling Technologies will come back from the lab seven to nine days later. The test was scheduled to be done last week.

“This second test will help narrow down the problems so we can make the repairs,” McCann said. “Hopefully we’ll be better able to identify where it’s coming from.”

Ridgefield does have summer activities planned at the locations coming soon. The problem should be worked out in time, but it’s taking a little longer than expected.

“The full report didn’t come back on time,” McCann said. “It’s all taking a little longer than anticipated.”

The delay could be a result of the fact that everyone else is also testing their water to make sure they don’t have the same issue.

“We just got ourselves a contract to do testing,” said MaryBeth Lynn, assistant superintendent at the Battle Ground School District. “I think there’s a bit of a waiting line for it right now.”

With a contract now in hand though, Battle Ground School District will begin testing as soon as possible.

“In 2005 we did testing and had a couple problems, but they were fixed,” Lynn said.

In the last few weeks parents have called in asking about Battle Ground’s status with the water because of recent news not only with Ridgefield, but similar issues up in Tacoma. Lynn said callers have been relieved to hear testing will take place and that any problems will be immediately addressed. 

Over in La Center it’s more of the same. Testing has occurred and results took a while to come back. Officials announced last week that the tests turned up no or low traces of lead.

Unlike Battle Ground, the La Center School District hasn’t had testing done before, but officials had said they would take the same precautions.

“Our buildings were renovated in 2004, there could be old pipes here and there with lead, but we’ll find out and make adjustments as needed,” said La Center Superintendent Mark Mansell, prior to receiving the results last week.

Clark County schools were initially prompted to test their water after a test in Portland schools this spring found multiple problems.

Currently at Ridgefield there are signs at every drinking source in each school with bottled water at the locations.

“We will spend whatever is necessary,” McCann said.

Although test results are still pending in Battle Ground, district officials are ready and willing to combat lead in their water if it’s found. Officials in La Center were also prepared to combat lead in the schools’ water if it had been found.

“We work hard at putting kids first when these things happen,” Mansell said.

The Environmental Protection Agency states that the occurrence of lead in drinking water is commonly credited to brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures with lead solder, especially against hot water.