Two Lead Tainted Richland High Drinking Water Fixtures Replaced

The state of Washington's Department of Health recently collected drinking water samples from all fixtures at Richland High School, as the Bombers voluntarily participated in the DOH's water testing for lead program.

The DOH recommends steps be taken if a lead measurement is 15 parts per billion (ppb) or higher. It is Richland's policy to address any drinking water issue with a lead reading of 10 ppb. One of the water fixtures had a lead measurement of over 20 ppb. It was immediately shut off and replaced. Another fixture had a reading above 10 ppb, it too, was replaced.

Follow up tests are being scheduled with further steps to be introduced if the lead reading is between 2 and 9 ppb.

Here's the full statement that went out to Richland High School parents:

To our Richland Community,

The state Department of Health (DOH) recently collected water samples from all drinking water fixtures in our school as part of Richland School District’s voluntary participation in DOH’s water testing for lead program.

These tests are part of the district’s ongoing efforts to be proactive in guaranteeing the safety of our drinking water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends steps be taken to address any water source with lead measurements of 15 parts per billion (ppb) or higher. The district’s standard is to take steps for any fixture measuring lead above 10 ppb through replacement with certified lead-free fixtures, establishment of a flushing program and regular cleaning to remove particulates.

One of our water fixtures had lead readings above 20 ppb and was immediately shut off and replaced. One fixture had lead readings above 10 ppb and also was replaced. All these fixtures will be tested again to ensure the issue has been resolved.

The district will take the following steps for any of our fixtures with lead results between 2 and 9 ppb:

• Establish a flushing program
• Clean fixture regularly to remove particulates.

You can view the full report on the DOH results by going here.