No lead concerns at SD23

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After lead testing was done at schools across the province, the Central Okanagan School District assures parents that no schools in the district showed any levels of concern.

School District No. 23, the Central Okanagan School District, said it had testing done after elevated lead levels were discovered in tap water at schools in Prince Rupert.

“Water sampling and analysis was performed by Caro Analytical Services in all of the Central Okanagan schools built prior to 1989,” said SD23.

The district said all sites tested were below the maximum acceptable concentration of 0.010 mg/L (10 parts per billion), and not a concern.

“The school district will continue our monitoring, testing and flushing protocols. We will ensure that the tap water on school property complies with the maximum allowable concentration for lead, as set out by the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality,” added SD23.

Canadian drinking water quality guidelines were established, in part, to protect children who are most vulnerable to health effects from exposure to lead.

Lead is a metal that occurs naturally in the environment and is commonly used in plumbing materials.

Everyone is exposed to low levels of lead through food, tap water, air, dust, soil and some consumer products. It was once used in products like toys, gasoline, paint and plumbing materials, but the Government of Canada now restricts its use in many products.

The results of each school's water test are available online, and can be found here.

Testing at Vernon District schools did find lead levels slightly above the maximum recommended guideline. 

For more information about reducing overall lead exposure click here.