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 correspondence from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) late Friday afternoon 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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Port Susan Middle: On May 4, 2024, 49 drinking water outlets at Port Susan Middle School were sampled. On June 6, 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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Stanwood Middle: On May 4, 2024, 53 drinking water outlets at Stanwood Middle School were sampled. On June 6, 2024, we received test results that show 10 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 High: Building constructed after 2016 and already complies with state codes. The new law requires all schools built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 be tested by June 30, 2026.
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Lincoln Hill High: Building constructed after 2016 and already complies with state codes. The new law requires all schools built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 be tested by June 30, 2026.
Why Lead is a Concern
Humans and animals can be exposed to lead from a variety of environmental sources. Some common exposure sources include:
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Dust from old, deteriorating lead paint
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Contaminated soil
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Lead dust tracked into the home from external sources, such as parents and regular visitors who work in certain industries where lead is present
Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and in building plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass and chrome-plated brass faucets. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes, and other plumbing materials.
However, even the lead in plumbing materials meeting these new requirements is subject to corrosion. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead, the lead may dissolve into the drinking water.
While the likelihood of school drinking water alone causing an elevated blood lead level is very low, it is important to reduce exposure from every source as much as possible. Children who have been exposed to lead may not look or act sick. The best way to tell if a child has been exposed is with a blood lead test.
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.
Where to Learn More
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.
Watch Stanwood-Camano School District Superintendent Dr. Deborah Rumbaugh's May 13 virtual webinar on this topic online HERE.
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