An independent MLA says the water in her office at the B.C. legislature has tested positive for lead at 51Ú2 times above the safe limit for drinking water.
Delta South MLA Vicki Huntington has advised Speaker Linda Reid that drinking water in the legislative precinct is contaminated and called on Health Minister Terry Lake to start testing the water in older schools and public buildings.
Huntington said her research staff had been complaining about the metallic taste of the water. They urged her to get it tested after elevated lead levels were found in the water at four older schools in Prince Rupert.
“I think what it tells us is that the minister of health has got to have his health authorities work out a regular testing regimen in the older public buildings and they have to start with the schools,” she said.
Huntington said the testing was done on the morning of Feb. 29, following a two-day weekend. The tests showed lead levels in the her office water at 51Ú2 times the maximum allowable concentrations permitted under provincial and federal regulations. Copper levels were also elevated.
Reid issued a statement Tuesday saying she takes Huntington’s concerns seriously.
“The Parliament Buildings were constructed almost 120 years ago and used building materials common at that time — including copper and lead pipes,” she said. “When water sits in pipes for several hours, metallic elements can leach into a water supply.”
She said the building’s water is regularly tested and flushed. The legislative assembly provides water filtration or water coolers to offices and committee meeting rooms, and recommends that cold water lines be flushed before water is used for drinking or cooking, she said.
Exposure to lead can cause behavioural problems and learning disabilities in children, according to Health Canada. The Prince Rupert schools are now flushing their pipes every morning and installing water fountains with lead filters.
Dr. Perry Kendall, provincial health officer, also asked the minister of education to remind all school districts of their “long-standing responsibility” to test the water in their schools and deal with any issues.
But Huntington argues that the safety of drinking water is a public health issue.
“The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education cannot afford to download all the costs onto school districts,” she said.
“Where you have a lot of old institutions, then they’re going to have to start a regular regimen of testing.”
But Kendall said that, under the Drinking Water Protection Act, it’s the responsibility of the building owner — including school districts — to be sure that they don’t have any issues inside the building.
“I think it’s a question of awareness in the school districts, in the health authorities and maybe something to add into regular inspection routines,” he said.
