Metro Parks Tacoma: Water across district passes lead tests

None of Metro Parks Tacoma’s drinking water sources tested in the past few weeks exceeded a federal action level for lead.

The agency moved to test its water after a lead scare gripped the region last month. More than 60 locations were tested throughout the park system.

Samples were taken with guidance from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Environmental Protection Agency, a news release states.

Most of the samples, tested by Spectra Labs in Tacoma, did not have any detectible levels of lead in them. Water collected from the Point Defiance Park concession building tested at 9 parts per billion after sitting stagnant in the pipe for several hours. The EPA requires action be taken if lead levels exceed 15 ppb.

Two types of samples were taken from each source. One was collected after water had been stagnant in pipes for at least eight hours. A follow-up sample was taken later, after the tap had run for 30 seconds.

Areas tested included kitchens, sprayground and swimming pool drinking fountains, restroom faucets and all areas at Point Defiance Park that are used by students of the Tacoma School District’s Science and Math Institute.

This story was originally published May 13, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Metro Parks Tacoma: Water across district passes lead tests."