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POLICY NAME:
Clean Water Policy
POLICY NUMBER:
203
AWSNA POLICIES AND PRACTICES AREA:                    VERSION:
9                                       2
APPROVED:
September 20, 2022
DOCUMENT HISTORY:
​v2: Under heading ‘Communication’ added the words “according to the Health Canada Guidelines”
REVIEWED:
January 24, 2024
Rationale
BC Waldorf Schools are committed to safe school environments including the provision of drinking water that meets legislated requirements. BC Waldorf Schools’ drinking water quality is legislated by the Drinking Water Protection Act.

Policy Statement 

BC Waldorf Schools place safety at the forefront of operations. Thus, schools undertake processes to ensure that drinking water meets the requirements of all legislation and that students have potable drinking water while on site.

Procedures

Lead Testing
BC Waldorf Schools will complete water lead content testing on all school facilities, unless exempt, at a minimum of once every 3 years. Individual schools will maintain a testing schedule.

Risk Assessment
Lead is commonly found in the environment, both naturally and as a result of human activities. Canadians are exposed to small amounts of lead in water, food, air, soil and consumer products. Lead has historically been used in drinking water distribution and plumbing systems, as well as in paints and as an additive in gasoline. Lead testing will allow for a thorough risk assessment of BC Waldorf School facilities.

See the Health Canada website for more information on lead in drinking water.

Water Testing
BC Waldorf Schools will work with their Local Health Authority to determine the procedure for testing.

Communication
Following each water lead content test a copy is sent to the Local Health Authority. 

In the event that testing finds drinking water concentrations of lead at or above the maximum acceptable level according to the Health Canada Guidelines, the BC Waldorf School will immediately inform the Ministry of Education, Independent Schools Branch. 

Should lead levels be deemed too high at a BC Waldorf School the school will work with their Local Health Authority to communicate the results to parents, students, and staff including information on the following:
  • Rationale for testing lead in drinking water
  • Identification of partnership with local health authority in finding a suitable solution
  • Results of testing
  • Identification of mitigation strategies implemented or under consideration by a School Board
  • Contact information of the School Authority and Local Health Authority for accessing further information

Mitigation
In the event that sample results reveal lead levels above the maximum allowable concentration of lead, the school, in consultation with their Health Authority, will commence mitigation solutions immediately. Mitigation solutions may include:
  • Flushing regimes
  • Deactivation of water source and supplemental signage
  • Installation of filtration systems
  • Plumbing upgrades
  • Other steps that result in reducing the exposure to lead 

Authority
​Resources
BC Waldorf Collective - AWNSA Registered Initiative, Associate, and Full Member Waldorf Schools of BC