Washington State gets an ‘F’ for efforts to address lead in school drinking water

New Environment Washington RPC, WashPIRG Foundation study assesses whether state is improving on this pressing issue

Environment Washington

Seattle, WA – Reacting to pervasive lead contamination in schools’ drinking water, Environment Washington Research and Policy Center (RPC) and WashPIRG Foundation gave Washington State an “F” grade today for addressing the problem, according to a new national report. In the second edition of our Get The Lead Out study, the state showed poor progress as Washington State received an “F” grade in 2017. Representative Pollet and Steve Gilbert, a toxicologist, joined Environment Washington RPC and WashPIRG Foundation in calling for swift action to ensure lead-free water in Washington’s schools and daycares.

“Schools should be safe places for our kids to learn and play, but Washington is still failing to protect our kids from lead in drinking water,” said Bruce Speight, Environment Washington RPC Director.

As more Washington schools test their water, they are finding lead. For example, a February 2019 report by Environment Washington found that more than 60 percent of drinking water taps in Washington schools that were tested for lead had elevated levels of lead, above 1 part per billion (ppb). Of the 199 schools and preschools tested, 97 percent had at least one tap where lead was detected at 1 ppb in the water. Recognizing that there is no safe level of lead, especially for children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is urging schools to limit lead in drinking water to 1 part per billion.

The picture from states that have done comprehensive testing is alarming:

“Lead is a potent neurotoxin, affecting the way our kids learn, grow, and behave,” said Steven G. Gilbert, PhD, DABT, INND (Institute of Neurotoxicology & Neurological Disorders). “There is no safe level of lead for children. We need policies that actually get the lead out of faucets and fountains in our schools and pre-schools. We have an ethical responsibility to ensure our kids and grandkids can reach and maintain their full potential free of lead.”

Most schools and pre-schools still have fountains or faucets that contain lead, and wherever there is lead, there is a risk of water contamination.

Nevertheless, current state law does far too little to prevent children’s drinking water from becoming laced with lead at school. While the state of Washington has implemented a voluntary testing program, it is not mandatory; most importantly, there is no state requirement for schools and daycares to remediate. Washington State law does not require pro-active replacement of fountains, faucets and/or other lead-bearing parts, does not require pro-active installation of filters certified to remove lead at every outlet used for drinking or cooking, does not require immediate shut off of potable water outlets that exceed testing standard for lead, and allows lead in drinking water up to 15 parts per billion. In Environment Washington RPC and WashPIRG Foundation’s comparison of 31 states, these shortcomings gave Washington State an “F” grade.

HB 1860, championed by State Rep. Gerry Pollet, would require schools to notify parents when tests detect lead levels at 1 part per billion (ppb), and to fix water outlets where lead levels reach 5 ppb or higher. The measure has wide support, including 18 co-sponsors. Unfortunately, it did not advance out of the Education Committee before cutoff, however, legislators are looking into including funding for action on lead in school drinking water in the state budget.

“No parent should have to worry about their child drinking water with lead,” said State Representative Gerry Pollet. “We have got to do better than that. We owe it to our kids.”

Environment Washington’s counterparts are working with doctors and parents and community leaders in seven other states to advance policies that Get the Lead Out of schools and daycares.

“We were disappointed to find that Washington State’s efforts are at the back of the class for protecting children from lead at school,” said Elise Orlick, WashPIRG Foundation Director. “Our kids deserve better.”
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Environment Washington Research & Policy Center is a 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to protecting our air, water and open spaces. We investigate problems, craft solutions, educate the public and decision-makers, and help the public make their voices heard in local, state and national debates over the quality of our environment and our lives. For more information, visit www.environmentwashingtoncenter.org

WashPIRG Foundation is a consumer group that stands up to powerful interests whenever they threaten our health and safety, our financial security, or our right to fully participate in our democratic society. For decades, we’ve stood up for consumers, countering the influence of big banks, insurers, chemical manufacturers and other powerful special interests. For more information, visit www.washpirgfoundation.org