Washington state law (RCW 28A.210.410 and RCW 43.70.830) requires that by 2026, drinking water in all K-12 public schools built before 2016 be tested for lead and meet a new, lower threshold of parts per billion (ppb) than previously required. Stanwood-Camano School District’s previous water quality tests conducted in 2016-2018 at all school buildings were within water quality standards for that time.
As part of our commitment to ensuring the health of our students and staff is protected, the Stanwood-Camano School District took advantage of state funding and volunteered to participate in a new state water testing program before this deadline. Testing began in April.
The state requires testing in areas of a school where students could consume water. While we requested the state test all water outlets — including staff areas and outside — testing only included student spaces.
The purpose of lead testing is to identify drinking water outlets that are potential sources of lead exposure. It is natural for lead to accumulate in older or infrequently used drinking water outlets. These outlets are identified through testing so they can be shut off or replaced to reduce exposure to lead from school drinking water.
The District received initial correspondence from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) late afternoon May 10 requiring three faucets at Cedarhome Elementary to be shut off and replaced.
In response to receipt of the initial testing results taken by state officials in April, faucets were turned off and will remain off until the faucets are replaced, retesting occurs, and favorable results are received.
We expect that the replacement of the faucets will resolve the issue.
Information about the health effects of lead can be found on the DOH website at www.doh.wa.gov
Results by School Building
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Cedarhome: On April 16 and 18, 2024, 53 drinking water outlets were sampled. On May 10, 2024, we received results that showed 11 faucets with elevated lead levels. Per RCW 28A.210.410, elevated lead level means a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb).
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Twin City: On April 16 and 18, 2024, 32 drinking water outlets were sampled. One faucet with elevated lead levels. Per RCW 28A.210.410, elevated lead level means a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb).
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Elger Bay: On April 20, 2024, 51 drinking water outlets were sampled. On May 15, 2024, we received test results that show 2 outlets with elevated lead levels. Per RCW 28A.210.410, elevated lead level means a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb).
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Stanwood Elementary: On May 1, 2024, 37 drinking water outlets at Stanwood Elementary School were sampled. On May 23, 2024, we received test results that show 14 outlets with elevated lead levels. Per RCW 28A.210.410, elevated lead level means a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb).
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Utsalady Elementary: On April 20, 2024, 59 drinking water outlets at Utsalady Elementary School were sampled. On May 23, 2024, we received test results that show 5 outlets with elevated lead levels. Per RCW 28A.210.410, elevated lead level means a lead concentration in drinking water that exceeds five parts per billion (ppb).
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The district is still awaiting test results from the state from Stanwood Middle and Port Susan Middle.
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Each school's state report is posted on our Water Quality webpage as the district receives them.
What is Safe to do?
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Handwashing: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says it is safe to wash your hands, even if the water contains lead over EPA’s action level. Human skin does not absorb lead in water.
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Cleaning dishes and pans: Staff can still wash and dry dishes because the material will not soak up lead in the water.
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Use the restroom: All the water is safe to use, but please do not use any of the faucets for drinking water.
What’s Next?
In April, the state tested all of our schools built before 2016. While we await the remaining results, here are the steps we are taking:
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Water faucets and unfiltered fountains used for drinking or preparing food are shut off across the district, except those that already tested within safe limits and at Stanwood High and Church Creek Campus — which were built after 2016
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Students and staff are asked to use on-site commercial bottle fillers that filter drinking water; cups will be provided for anyone without a water bottle
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Bathroom faucets remain operational for washing but not drinking; bottled water will be available in health rooms for emergencies
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Install new faucets and fixtures as required
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Continuously communicate updates with families, staff, and community
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Food preparation that requires water will be done in the kitchen at Stanwood High School
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Test drinking water at non-school sites: staff areas of the school, transportation, and district office
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Completed the Department of Health’s School District Action Plan
Where to Learn More
The district held a community webinar at 6 p.m. May 13 that was recorded and can be viewed HERE.
Read more about testing and find links to each school's results report on our Water Quality webpage.
See the the most recent City of Stanwood water quality report (2022)
Additional information about lead exposure is available at doh.wa.gov/lead. You can also reach out to the DOH Childhood Blood Lead Program at 800-909-9898 or [email protected] for more information.