After finding elevated levels of lead during the summer, the Greater Victoria School District has now finished installing filters in 408 drinking fountains.
"We're confident that all the water fountains are either filtered or have passed the testing that we've done."
But secretary treasurer Mark Walsh says the school district has run into an unexpected problem.
"In order to get lead out, you need such a fine, fine filter. But what that does, though, is when the filter is that fine it starts taking other things that would actually be in the city water."
That level of filtration over-and-above what's required is causing the new filters to clog faster than expected. That's not having an impact on the water quality, but the frequent changing of filters is leading to additional costs. So sand filters have now been installed at two schools for testing. It's believe those filters -- which can be cleaned -- will catch some of the things that clog the new filters before the water reaches the fountains.
Installing a sand filter at every school that needs one would cost around $100-thousand dollars. The school district intends to pursue funding support from the CRD.