The Richmond School District needs $94,000 from the provincial government to remove lead pipes in three high schools - Hugh Boyd, Matthew McNair and R.C. Palmer secondary schools.
But the school district told the Richmond News there are no health concerns, and some of the pipes are flushed daily as a preventative measure.
David Sadler, spokesperson for the Richmond School District, said the pipes are “original to the buildings” meaning they have not been upgraded for 64 years.
“(The pipes) are still in use as there are currently no safety concerns regarding potable water for students at these schools,” he said.
“Any drinking water outlets with lead content levels exceeding Health Canada’s maximum allowable concentrations have been decommissioned, replaced and re-piped, or flushed daily before initial use as per the advice of the local health authority.”
The school district is looking to get rid of the daily task of flushing the pipes and to reduce water consumption as a result of the project, explained Sadler.
“The lead abatement project is a proactive measure to address aging infrastructure and enhance student safety.”
The proposed lead abatement project to replace the old pipes is listed in the school district’s 2024/2025 five-year capital plan as part of the $6 million needed for minor projects.
In addition to the pipe replacement project, the school district also listed HVAC, rooftop heating, lighting, electric bus and playground upgrades as part of the district’s school facility upgrade plans.
An estimated $819 million is also needed for major projects, such as seismic upgrades, school expansions and a new elementary school, as outlined in the five-year capital plan.
The capital funding requests will be submitted to the Ministry of Education and Child Care in September 2023.
