Prosser finds no elevated lead readings in testing of school water

One Mid-Columbia school district has independently verified that its water is not tainted with lead after concerns about that issue swept across schools nationwide.

Richland-based PBS Engineering and Environmental recently completed the testing at the Prosser School District’s six schools and other facilities, a release said. Results showed that water at all the buildings was below federal thresholds for lead and copper.

“The school district continues to make the safety of its students, staff and community its number one priority,” the release said.

The three Tri-City districts rely on their respective city governments to test their water supplies for lead and other contaminants, an approach allowed under state law.

However, the Kennewick School District plans to test water at its schools sometime before classes begin this fall, district officials have said.

Pasco recently tested the water at Edwin Markham Elementary School, which uses water from its own well rather than a municipal water system. Test results came back showing the water was safe for consumption, said Shane Edinger, the district’s communications manager.

Lead in the water in schools rocketed into the public consciousness after it was found officials at varying levels of government in Flint, Mich., allowed that community’s water supply to be overloaded with lead, creating a public health crisis.

Some larger Northwest school districts, particularly those in Tacoma, Bellevue and Portland, have since found lead-tainted water in their schools.

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 7:48 PM with the headline "Prosser finds no elevated lead readings in testing of school water."