High levels of lead found in water at 4 more Tacoma schools

TACOMA – Tacoma Public Schools says tests performed last May found high levels of lead in the drinking water at four additional schools.

The district said Tuesday that it discovered those test reports while reviewing records Monday night. The district earlier Monday informed parents of high levels of lead found at two other elementary schools, Mann and Reed.

The district said high levels of lead were found in isolated locations at Whittier, DeLong and Manitou Park elementary schools as well as the Madison Head Start program during the May 2015 tests. But officials said “it does not appear that any steps were taken to correct the problems at those locations.”

The district blocked off drinking fountains and ordered bottled water at the schools. An audit of all past water quality tests at every school is planned.