Results of the Lead Testing Conducted in CSD
December 4, 2019
Dear Chewelah School Community:
In 2017, the Legislature directed the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to test for lead in drinking water in public schools in an effort to reduce children’s overall exposure to lead in the environment. As part of our commitment to ensuring the health of our students and staff is protected, we recently participated in this program.
What did we learn?
On November 14, 2019, water samples were collected from thirty-four drinking water fixtures at Gess Elementary and sent to a DOH lab for testing. This represents every fixture that provides drinking water to students or is used to prepare food. The testing was done prior to the school day before students were in the building. Results show that two water samples at Gess Elementary School had lead levels above 20 parts per billion (ppb).
In addition to the samples taken at Gess, samples were taken from twenty drinking water fixtures at Jenkins Jr./Sr. High. None of those samples indicated lead at the actionable levels of 20 ppb or higher.
What are we doing?
• Immediately after being notified of the results, we took the affected fixtures out of service.
• We will be replacing the affected fixtures with new certified lead-free fixtures.
• We are developing a flushing program to reduce lead levels that may increase in fixtures when they are not in use.
Why is lead a problem?
Children are exposed to lead from a variety of sources in their environments. Exposure sources include dust from old, deteriorating lead paint, contaminated soil, take-home exposures from parents who work in certain industries, and many others. Each of these sources contribute to the amount of lead in the bodies of children. It is important to reduce exposure from every source as much as possible. Children six years old and younger are the most susceptible to the effects of lead. Their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Even at very low levels of exposure to lead, children may experience effects including lower IQ levels, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, poor classroom performance, or other harmful physical and behavioral effects.
How can I learn more?
Water testing results are available at the district office and will be posted on our website. If you are concerned that your child has been exposed to lead for any reason, ask your healthcare provider about having them screened for lead.
Sincerely,
Richard McFarland
Superintendent
Chewelah School District
TEST RESULTS
