Some Washington County VA schools test positive for lead in fixtures

Washington County School Superintendent Keith Perrigan says that testing at five Washington County, Virginia Schools found traces of lead in various water fixtures. Five fixtures at every school within the school system, as well as two fixtures in the kitchens and water fountains in various locations were tested for lead on October 26. At a Thursday meeting, the Washington County Service Authority and Office of Drinking Water reported that lead was detected in fixtures at Meadowview Elementary, Watauga Elementary, Glade Spring Middle School, Holston High School and Greendale Elementary. Officials are taking additional precautions at those five schools immediately. Only fixtures that tested non-detect will be available for cooking purposes at those schools and every fixture in the affected schools will be tested starting Friday morning. After testing at the five schools, the remaining schools within the system will be tested as an additional precaution. Drinking fountains at the impacted schools will discontinued until the issue is fixed with bottled water provided for students and staff.