WSU Veterinary Facility Lacks Unleaded Faucet New $38 Million Hospital’s Water Has Unsafe Levels Of Lead

The new $38 million veterinary hospital at Washington State University has a problem: you can’t drink the water.

School officials said Friday the water supply in the state-of-the-art facility contains unsafe levels of lead.

They began providing bottled water on Friday.

“We have turned off all the sources for drinking water and put in the bottled water in its place,” said Sallie Giffen, vice president for business affairs.

Giffen said it is not clear what’s to blame for the elevated lead levels, and WSU Environmental Health and Safety officials are searching for the cause.

“At the moment we have no idea,” she said.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires water suppliers to take action to reduce lead levels above 15 parts per billion. One WSU sample tested at 32 parts per billion, a second tested at 18 parts per billion and a third at 1 part per billion.

The EPA standard is based on a level that’s acceptable for a six-month old child over a period of 70 years, Giffen said.

The building has been open only four months, so it is unlikely anyone will suffer serious problems from drinking the water, Giffen said.

Alternative sources of water for animal care also have been arranged.

Lead risks primarily involve the central nervous system. High concentrations have been shown to increase development problems in children.