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Facilities Water Testing

Water Quality Testing

Wenatchee School District is committed to the safety of every student and staff member in our buildings. This page provides current, accurate information about our district-wide water quality testing program and the steps we are taking in response to our findings.

This page will be updated as new information becomes available. The district will present full findings and a remediation action plan to the school board in September 2026.

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Why We Test

Washington State law requires K-12 schools with plumbing built or replaced before 2016 to test for lead in drinking water every five years. Lead levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb) require schools to develop a remediation action plan. Testing must take place during the school year when water is flowing normally on a regular school day. The state requires a "first draw" sample, meaning water that has been sitting in the pipes overnight is tested first thing in the morning. This is the most accurate way to measure potential lead exposure under real-world conditions.

Learn about the law and how sampling is conducted
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Our Commitment Goes Beyond What the Law Requires

Our Commitment Goes Beyond What the Law Requires The law required us to test buildings where students are present. We chose to go further. Over the last two years, Wenatchee School District has tested every building where people work, including staff-only spaces because we believe the safety of our employees matters just as much as the safety of our students. In total, the district has tested 940 drinking sources across our facilities every classroom, hallway, kitchen, and any fixture that could be used for drinking or food preparation. That is not just compliance. That is commitment.

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How We Tested

The district selected Fulcrum Environmental as our independent environmental testing expert. Samples were collected by Fulcrum and sent to an independent third-party laboratory for analysis, ensuring results are accurate, unbiased, and meet all Washington State requirements. Testing was mandated to be completed by the last day of the school year.

Learn about testing
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What We Found — Wenatchee High School

This past spring, the district tested every tap, fountain, faucet, and portable at Wenatchee High School that could serve as a source for drinking or food preparation, 133 fixtures in total. Of those 133 fixtures, 19 returned elevated lead levels above the state action threshold of 5 parts per billion. Each of the 19 affected fixtures was tested four times at two different intervals before the end of the school year to confirm the results. Even after fixture replacements were made following the initial round of testing, lead levels in these 19 outlets remained elevated.

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What We Found — Mission View Elementary

Testing at Mission View Elementary identified elevated lead levels in fixtures located in the 300 wing of the building. The district has taken immediate steps to address these fixtures consistent with the same mitigation process underway at WHS.

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What We Have Done

The district has taken immediate action at all affected locations based on guidance from the Washington State Department of Health and Fulcrum Environmental: - Red signage has been installed on all affected fixtures reading: "Hand Wash Only. Water Not for Drinking or Food Prep." Any fixture with a red sign is not to be used for drinking or food preparation under any circumstances. - Fixture replacement or removal is being evaluated for each affected location. - Kitchen fixtures have already been addressed at all affected schools. Nutrition services teams have been notified directly. What Is Safe Every fixture without a red sign is safe for drinking and food preparation. All drinking fountains and water fill stations are filtered and have tested within safe levels. If there is no red sign — it is safe to use.

What comes next: Our Public Notification Process

State law outlines a clear process the district must follow and we are committed to following it completely and transparently.

Step 1 — Finalize the action plan
The district is working with Fulcrum Environmental and the Washington State Department of Health to complete a full testing report and draft remediation action plan. Immediate hazard controls are already in place at all affected locations.

Step 2 — Present to the school board
The full findings and draft action plan will be presented to the Wenatchee School District Board of Directors at a board meeting in September 2026. This ensures full board awareness and oversight before public notification goes out.

Step 3 — Notify the community
Once the draft action plan is prepared and the board has been informed, state law requires the district to:

  • Send direct notification to parents, staff, and students
  • Post full test results and the remediation plan publicly on the district website
  • Make physical copies available at the district office
  • Provide the school community an opportunity for input on the proposed remediation plan before it is formally adopted

We are not waiting longer than necessary. We are following the process the law requires so that when our community receives this information, it comes with a complete picture, a clear plan, and an opportunity to weigh in.

Frequently Asked Questions 

  • Yes at every fixture that does not have a red sign. All drinking fountains and water fill stations are filtered and have tested within safe levels. Red signs are posted on every affected fixture and those fixtures are not to be used for drinking or food preparation.

     

  • The law required us to test buildings where students are present. We chose to go further by testing every building where staff work as well because we believe everyone in our buildings deserves the same level of protection. Over two years we have tested 940 drinking sources across our facilities

  • In some cases, lead can originate from the plumbing within the walls rather than the fixture itself. Replacing the fixture addresses one potential source, but when levels remain elevated after replacement, it indicates the issue is within the broader plumbing system. Our team is working with Fulcrum Environmental to evaluate each affected location and determine the appropriate next step.

  • The district will formally notify families, staff, and students following the September 2026 school board presentation. State law requires this sequence to ensure families receive complete, accurate information alongside a clear remediation plan.

  • Yes. Full test results and the remediation plan will be posted publicly on this page following the September board presentation.