Two and a half years ago, the district began a comprehensive testing and repair program to ensure drinking water in schools meets guidelines set by the EPA and policy set by the 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.

"I made a personal commitment to the community that I would ensure the safety of drinking water in our schools," said Manhas. "Because student and staff health and safety is a priority, there is no other decision. We will take thorough and careful action to identify the source of the arsenic and eliminate it."

Seattle Public Schools will test every source of drinking water in the district for levels of arsenic. In addition, samples taken since September 2005 are being reviewed. Currently, the district has examined over 300 locations in 57 schools, and only five show arsenic above 10 ppb when using the EPA-specified sampling protocol.

This problem first came to light in early April when the district received results from a batch of water quality samples that were collected using the wrong testing procedure. The samples were taken from water left sitting in pipes for at least a week, and sometimes several weeks, instead of the EPA required 12-18 hours. Forty of 120 of these samples showed arsenic levels up to 132 ppb. It is critical to note that 39 of the 40 locations were not in use. Only one, at Leschi Elementary, was turned on. The district immediately retested these locations using the EPA-approved protocol, and only four fixtures showed arsenic above the 10 ppb standard. The levels ranged from 11 to 18 ppb.

There is no reason to believe that the source water provided by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is the cause of the arsenic.

"Seattle Public Utilities can confirm that there are no detectable levels of arsenic in Seattle's drinking water supply," said Dave Hilmoe, director of drinking water, Seattle Public Utilities. "Seattle Public Utilities has been and will continue to be available to the school district as it works to resolve this issue."

The district is aggressively testing and investigating every possible source for the arsenic including piping, fixtures, and materials used in plumbing and cleaning. In addition, the district will ask toxicologists with expertise about arsenic in drinking water to review the results of the samples exceeding the EPA standard for possible impacts for students and staff. The information has also been shared with local and state health departments for guidance on actions needed to ensure student and staff health and safety as well as the district's Water Quality Oversight Committee.

"I support Seattle Public Schools' decision to provide all children with bottled water until the source of the arsenic can be determined," said Dorothy Teeter, interim director and health officer for Public Health - Seattle & King County. "While the risk of exposure to contaminated water may be low, we want to protect children from any potential exposures while the district traces the source of the contamination."

The water that will remain in service in school buildings, in sinks for example, is safe for hand washing, washing dishes, and uses other than drinking.

"We will continue to work hand-in-hand with local and state health departments, scientists and other experts to share results," said Manhas. "The support, expertise and feedback of these public agencies and of the members of the Water Quality Oversight Committee has been invaluable."

The district is committed to communicating fully with families, staff and the community. A letter on this topic will be mailed to all families and language translations will also be available. Fact sheets and other resources will be posted on our website, www.seattleschools.org, and information has been sent to all principals, SPS staff and community members. The district will provide frequent updates as more information is available.

RESOURCES

To view individual school water reports, click here.

Public Health -- Seattle & King County
Information on arsenic and health
Primary care services
Fees are charged based on a family's ability to pay. Medicare and Medicaid are accepted.
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/locations/index.htm
(206) 296-4600

State of Washington Office of Drinking Water
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/dw

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
EPA arsenic information
http://www.epa.gov/OGWDW/arsenic.html