Disturbing find in remote school’s water

Lead has been detected in drinking water at schools in a Far North Queensland Aboriginal community, with bottled water and free blood tests offered to staff and students.

The lead was found after water at the Yarrabah Health Facility tested positive for the heavy metal in May.

Subsequent preliminary testing at Yarrabah State School's primary and secondary campuses, and the kindergarten, have shown traces of lead.

Queensland Health chief health officer John Gerrard said authorities were running further tests to determine the sources of contamination and if any rectification works were necessary.

"The immediate health risks are minimal," Dr Gerrard said, noting the exposure risk at three tested sites was low.

"Out of an abundance of caution, children and staff at Yarrabah's kindergarten and primary and secondary schools will use bottled water for drinking until we are certain supplies are safe to ingest.

"While this is understandably concerning for the community, it is still safe for children and staff to use the water for nondrinking purposes.

"Free blood testing will also be made available for staff and children and anyone in Yarrabah who is concerned."

Testing in March also found elevated levels of copper in Yarrabah Health Facility's mains water.

Dr Gerrard said Yarrabah's drinking water remained safe after recent testing, but those concerned should run their taps daily.

"As is the case with any water supply, contaminants can sometimes leach into drinking water from plumbing fittings and can accumulate if taps are left unused," Dr Gerrard said.

"I recommend everyone in Yarrabah routinely run their kitchen tap for 30 seconds first thing in the morning in case there is corrosion in their plumbing and for two minutes if they haven't used it for more than two days."

Ingesting lead can lead to health problems, particularly for babies and young children.

Yarrabah is an Aboriginal community about 30km east of Cairns.