Learn How We Are Ensuring We Have Safe Drinking Water

Learn How We Are Ensuring We Have Safe Drinking Water

Richland School District is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for students and staff. As part of that commitment, the district is participating in a state Department of Health (DOH) water testing for lead program. State lawmakers created this program in 2017 as part of a statewide effort to reduce children's exposure to lead.

The district's participation in the water testing program is fully voluntary and done in an effort to be proactive about guaranteeing the safety of drinking water. A prior review of water fixtures in district schools conducted a few years ago by the city of Richland found no contaminants in any fixture accessible by students or used to prepare student meals in our building.

What schools were tested?

  • Early Learning Center
  • Badger Mountain Elementary
  • Jason Lee Elementary
  • White Bluffs Elementary
  • William Wiley Elementary
  • Carmichael Middle School
  • Chief Joseph Middle School
  • Enterprise Middle School
  • Hanford High School
  • Richland High School
  • River's Edge High School

How were the tests conducted?

DOH staff sampled every fixture that provides drinking water to students or is used to prepare food. The testing was done prior to the school day before students were in the building.

Testing was done first thing in the morning, when water has been sitting in plumbing for a certain period of time. Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead. This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously. However, even if the first draw sample does not reflect what you would see with continuous usage, it is still important because it can identify outlets that have elevated lead levels.

Depending on the results, what steps has the district taken?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends steps be taken to address any water source with lead readings of 15 parts per billion (ppb) or higher.

For each fixture with lead results equal to or over 20 ppb:

  • Fixtures taken out of service or made inaccessible to students and staff.
  • Replaced fixtures with certified lead-free fixtures or removed the fixtures permanently if they are not needed.

For each fixture with lead results between 10 and 19 ppb:

  • Replaced fixtures with certified lead-free fixtures or removed the fixtures permanently if they are not needed.
  • Implementing a flushing program to help reduce lead levels that may increase while fixtures are not in use.
  • Cleaning aerators regularly to remove particulates that may contain lead.

For each fixture with lead results between 2 and 9 ppb:

  • Implementing a flushing program to help reduce lead levels that may increase while fixtures are not in use.
  • Cleaning aerators regularly to remove particulates that may contain lead.

What are the results?

A summary of results is available below for each school as well as a PDF of the full results.

Early Learning Center

View Report
Number of samples: 31
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 2

  • Room 14 bubbler, replaced on Jan. 31
  • Room 13 bubbler, replaced on Jan. 28

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 2

  • Workroom sink faucet, replaced on Jan. 28
  • Speech room faucet, replaced on Jan. 29
     

Badger Mountain Elementary

View Report
Number of samples: 56
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 5

  • Room 27 sink faucet, replaced on Jan. 17
  • Room 21 sink faucet, replaced on Feb. 12
  • Room 12 sink faucet, replaced on Feb. 12
  • Room 11 right sink faucet, replaced Feb. 21
  • Room 11 left sink faucet, replaced Feb. 12

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 2

  • Room 11 right sink bubbler, replaced Jan. 24
  • Room 17 bubbler, replaced Feb. 12
     

Jason Lee Elementary

View Report
Number of samples: 61
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 0
Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 0

White Bluffs Elementary

View Report
Number of samples: 85
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 0
Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 0

William Wiley Elementary

View Report
Number of samples: 54
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 1

  • Room 151 sink faucet, replaced Jan. 17

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 1

  • Room 132 sink faucet, replaced Jan. 22
     

Carmichael Middle School

View Report
Number of samples: 87
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 1

  • Kitchen pot filler (unused), replaced Jan. 28

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 1

  • ​​Room 809 sink faucet, replaced Jan. 29

Chief Joseph Middle School

View Report
Number of samples: 64
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 4

  • Room 307 sink faucet, replaced Jan. 31
  • Room 313 sink faucet, replaced Feb. 14
  • Kitchen right pot filler, replaced Feb. 21
  • Kitchen left pot filler, replaced Feb. 20

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 1

  • Room 307 sink faucet, replaced Jan. 31
     

Enterprise Middle School

View Report
Number of samples: 100
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 3

  • Kitchen right pot filler tap, shut off and awaiting replacement
  • Kitchen right pot filler spray nozzle, shut off and awaiting replacement
  • Staff workroom tap, shut off and awaiting replacement 

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 0
Fixtures still awaiting final results: 6

Hanford High School

View Report
Number of samples: 83
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 0
Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 1

  • Room 1302B sink faucet, replaced Feb. 21

Richland High School

View Report
Number of samples: 228
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 1

  • Auditorium east lobby bubbler, replaced Feb. 18

Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 1

  • Auditorium west lobby bubbler, replaced Feb. 14

Fixtures still awaiting final results: 8

River's Edge High School

View Report
Number of samples: 23
Fixtures measuring above 20 ppb: 0
Fixtures measuring above 10 ppb: 0