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Getting the lead out

SD 73 to invest in lead filtration drinking stations for all district schools
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School District 73

KAMLOOPS: School District 73 (Kamloops-Thompson) will install lead-filtered water stations in every district school to ensure all students have access to the safest possible drinking water.

Trustees approved the capital plan at a board meeting held Monday, Jan. 15. The project will see one or two filtered drinking stations (the number of stations is dependent on the size of the school) installed in every school. It’s expected the work will be complete by the start of the next school year.

READ MORE: Flushing to keep water safe (June 13, 2017)

The proposal was brought to the board for consideration in-camera as the project must go to public tender.

Supt. Alison Sidow said the recommendation to install the units followed continued concern on the part of parents.

“It’s clear that parents want this option for their children. More than 17 parent advisory committees (PACs) had already found money to have these units installed in their schools, and other PACs continue to fundraise to explore the option. This will ensure that all students in every one of our schools have equitable access to the safest possible drinking water.”

PACs that have already invested in filtration units for their schools will be reimbursed once the tender process is complete and final costs are ascertained.

SD 73 implemented a district-wide flushing protocol last year after elevated lead levels were discovered in water samples taken from a small number of local schools.

Lead in school drinking water emerged as a provincial issue after water testing in Lower Mainland schools.