Lead Problem for Portland Parks & Recreation

Portland Parks & Recreation found levels of lead in the water at higher than acceptable rates in nine percent of the samples they've tested over the past couple of weeks.

Following on the heels of problems with lead in the Portland Public Schools, Portland Parks started testing for levels higher than 20 parts per billion (PPB), which they say is the limit established by the Oregon Health Authority and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Portland Parks tested 180 samples.

Of those samples, 163 (or about 91 percent) came back with levels below 20 PPB. Seventeen came back with levels higher than 20 PPB.

At the Fulton Community Center, none of the 12 samples were above 20 PPB. One drinking fountain was out of commission and not tested. It will be tested when repairs are done.

At the Portland Children's Museum, 76 samples were taken and five - four sinks and one drinking fountain - were above the acceptable limit.

The fountain has been turned off and the sinks labeled do not drink.

Eleven of the 75 samples taken at the Multnomah Arts Center came back with higher than acceptable levels. The fixtures have either been turned off or labeled do not drink.

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Portland Parks also had Mt. Tabor Annex tested because it hosts a preschool. Of the 17 sites there tested, one - a drinking fountain on the first floor - came back and it has been trend off.

"We strive to provide ‘Healthy Parks, Healthy Portland’," says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Mike Abbaté. "We will continue to work with technical experts and our Commissioner-in-charge to develop protocols for testing of our facilities."

Portland Parks is now developing a list that includes all sites where preschools are located for testing. They are following a recommendation earlier this month from the Oregon Health Authority that all schools - including preschools and day care centers - test for lead over the summer.