U.S. Water News Online
SEATTLE -- Arsenic found in five Seattle public school water fixtures prompted the school district to order all drinking water turned off in the schools, the superintendent said. Bottled water will be provided.
Superintendent Raj Manhas took the action after tests showed arsenic in the five fixtures exceeded the Environmental Protection Agency allowable standard of 10 parts per billion, the district announcement said. The readings ranged from 11ppb to 18 ppb.
Two and a half years ago, the district began a comprehensive testing and repair program to ensure drinking water in the Seattle schools meets guidelines set by the EPA and policy set by the Seattle school board.
The district tests for lead as recommended by the EPA, plus cadmium, copper and iron. As plumbing repairs are made, the district tests water samples from each fixture before the system is turned back on. This routine testing recently showed the presence of arsenic.
Seattle public schools plan to test every source of drinking water in the district for levels of arsenic.
The district has examined more than 300 locations in 57 schools, and only five show arsenic above 10 ppb when using the EPA's sampling protocol.
There is no reason to think the water provided by Seattle Public Utilities is the source of the arsenic, the school district announcement said.
"Seattle Public Utilities can confirm that there are no detectable levels of arsenic in Seattle's drinking water supply," said Dave Hilmoe, the utility's director of drinking water.
The district is testing piping, fixtures and materials used in plumbing and cleaning.
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