Schools ban the bubbler after elevated lead levels found in water

Children at West Australian schools were given bottled water after contaminated bubbler scares.

Elmarie Dupreez with her son Miller, 7, yesterday. Picture: Matthew Poon

Children arriving at five new government schools in Western Australia were given bottled water yesterday and told to stay away from drinking fountains because of fears of lead in the water.

The alarm was raised after ­elevated lead levels, thought to be caused by stagnant water over the summer holidays, were found at several other schools.

The issue sparked concern yesterday among parents at one of the new schools, Doubleview Primary in Perth’s western suburbs, as children were collected after their first day of the school year.

Education Minister Sue Ellery said she was “deeply, deeply disappointed” that she discovered only on Tuesday afternoon that testing for lead at the five new schools, including Doubleview, had not been finalised in time.

She said bottled water was being provided as a precaution to students at those schools.

“I want to reassure parents that I take the safety of your children very seriously,” Ms Ellery said. “All of the advice available is that I do not need to take action above and beyond the existing health standards and I don’t need to provide you with an alternate water source. However, if I was in your position I would want the alternate water source.”

The testing of lead levels in government schools was ordered last year amid concerns over a lead contamination scandal at the yet-to-be-opened Perth Children’s Hospital, also believed to have been caused by water stagnating in pipes for months.

Lead was found in water at Aspiri Primary School, Yanchep Secondary College, Oakwood Primary School, Wellard Primary School and Honeywood Primary School. Education Department director-general Sharyn O’Neill said the water sources at those schools — which did not include student drinking fountains — would be off limits to students.

“Initial tests found some taps in work areas, such as external hose taps and work sinks, showed slightly elevated levels of lead,” she said. “Subsequent testing, however, showed no elevated levels in water from these taps.

“Any taps with inconsistent results will be off limits to students and staff while further testing is undertaken.”

The five schools awaiting results are Doubleview Primary, Rapid Landings Primary School, Aveley North Primary School, Aveley Secondary College and Southern Grove Primary School.

Doubleview parent Corrine Boar said she was concerned students had been allowed to use the school’s water fountain during an open day on Tuesday.

She said her son Lucas, 7, had drunk from the fountain and she hoped the school received the all-clear as soon as possible.

Another parent, Elmarie Dupreez, said she was “obviously concerned” that students were being told to drink only bottled water.

Her son, Miller, 7, said he had been handed a bottle of water when he arrived at school in the morning and the drink fountains had “out of order” signs placed on them.