Still a recurring concern in Washington, the issue of water quality is being evaluated and taken very seriously. On October 28th, the Central Kitsap School District began to conduct water quality testing at CK to ensure that the water supply is safe to drink.

According to AP Environmental Science teacher, Bill Wilson, the main concern at CK is the amount of lead that might be in the water supply. Since CK is a relatively old school, the pipes transporting the water may be, at the same time, contaminating it. At the time CKHS was being built, the material that the construction workers used to fuse the piping was a lead based solder. Because of the many years following the reconstruction, the pipes containing lead naturally took to slight erosion around the fused piping. This is what is causing the lead contamination.

Taking it into their own hands, Wilson and the AP Environment students tested the water quality in CK at many different locations and concluded that, in fact, the levels of lead in the water are above the standard regulations. In response, Wilson said these results are highly inaccurate due to the diverse set of results found around the school. Wilson said the concern of lead contamination is not very high, and if there were any real concerns, we would be finding out soon, due to the upcoming district testing.

The last time CK water was tested by the district was in 2004. At the time, CK water was within EPA limits. “As a result of nearby school districts’ water testing, we have decided to re-test our schools,” said CK Administrator Richard Arena.  “In 2017, the State Department of Health will begin requiring lead testing every five years for public schools. The testing will start with elementary schools and complete with high schools. The district is working with an accredited lab and has already begun water testing throughout the district,” said Arena.