Tests at ‘blue water’ school ...6 years after fears raised

Experts from Sepa to probe campus built on former landfill site

WATER and soil tests have been ordered at a school at the centre of a contaminated water scare.

Fears have been raised about ‘blue water’ and possible chemical contamination at the campus, which was built on a former landfill.

Independent experts have now ordered environmental tests at St Ambrose and Buchanan High Schools, which share the site in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire.

Teachers went on strike last month over contamination fears after four colleagues developed bladder cancer and a pupil who attended the £44million campus lost their sight.

There have also been claims pupils have developed brain abnormalities, and some concerned parents have removed their children from the school.

Reports of ‘blue water’ coming from taps were raised in 2017, although staff say it was first noticed four years earlier.

Copper pipes were blamed, leading to a major replacement programme last year.

North Lanarkshire Council and NHS Lanarkshire say there is no risk to pupils or staff despite concerns over arsenic on the site, once used as an ironworks dumping ground. The Scottish Government launched an independent probe amid growing frustration and anger from parents and staff.

Yesterday, officials said Scottish Water would be testing water at the campus and confirmed further environmental tests had been demanded by an independent review group, with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) examining the water and soil.

Experts will examine the ‘integrity of the methane membrane’ at the site, a safety measure that was installed when the site was bought.

Parent Lynsey McFarlane told the BBC: ‘This is what we have been pushing for.

‘The review team have obviously found enough evidence in just a week and a half to support the fact the site needs tested.

‘We are really happy this is being done and trust that the review team will do the job properly.’

The independent review team was instructed to inspect the school by Education Secretary John Swinney. It is looking at specific health and safety concerns as well as the history, construction and maintenance of the school campus.

The results of the test will be published before the school reopens on August 12.

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Liz Smith said: ‘It’s a relief to see that the SNP have finally agreed to carry out these tests.

‘The trust between the local government and parents and teachers is clearly breaking down, and they need assurances. Hopefully these tests will provide the answers we need, but if not a full independent inquiry may be needed.’

The NASUWT teaching union welcomed the news of further tests. It had previously called for the entire campus to be tested and demanded that the school be closed early for the summer.

General secretary Chris Keates said: ‘This announcement by the Scottish Government is the result of the courageous and determined stance taken by our members to take strike action.

‘We have consistently called for a full site survey as the only way to get a true and comprehensive picture of the site and to identify whether there are any potential hazards which could affect the health and safety of staff and pupils.’

‘Provide the answers we need’