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Elevated lead levels found in water in some Surrey schools

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Lead levels in Surrey Schools
The Surrey school board is reassuring parents that their children will be able to drink the water when they come back to school, after high levels of lead were found in many schools – Sep 2, 2016

Just days before the start of school, high levels of lead have been found in a number of Surrey schools after more than 600 taps and fountains were tested.

District officials are now working on a solution.

Sixty-three schools, built before 1990, have been tested and more than 40 required some flushing.

Twenty-seven different sources had lead levels above Health Canada standards.

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Letters explaining the situation have been sent out to parents and some schools will have their water flushed every morning.

For others, certain taps may have to be disconnected until new parts are installed.

“We’ve made a point of ensuring that there were multiple water sources in every school that were of good quality water and there will be a few taps, fountains, that aren’t in service until we can get the parts or filters installed,” said Surrey schools spokesperson Doug Strachan. “We’re working hard on that.”

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“It’s been a long summer for our facilities people.”

Earlier this year, high levels of lead were found in schools in Prince Rupert and Penticton. High lead levels were also found in the water at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria.

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