Lead testing considered for Kalispell schools' drinking water

As the issue of lead in drinking water in schools has bubbled to the top of concerns in school districts around the nation, Kalispell Public Schools is now considering testing the water in its buildings following a parent’s request at recent board meetings.

Parent Ryan Hunter was concerned about lead levels in schools’ drinking water when his child started kindergarten at Hedges Elementary School. Hunter said he had already tested a fixture in his own home near Hedges Elementary, which came back positive for lead.

“When we moved in, it was about the time Flint, Michigan, was in the news and we decided to test our kitchen faucet where we would be getting drinking water. We found 1 part per billion of lead and installed a filter,” Hunter said, which took care of the problem and further tests were negative. He now sends his daughter to school with bottled water until the school’s drinking water is tested.

Testing drinking water for lead is voluntary for Montana schools that get water from regulated public water systems, and there are no federal laws.