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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Peter Davidson

Water and soil to be tested at 'blue water' schools in Coatbridge

Water and soil testing is to be carried out at a school campus in Coatbridge after fears the site is contaminated.

The Buchanan and St Ambrose high schools in North Lanarkshire have been at the centre of protests by concerned parents after blue water was discovered coming from taps.

Both schools moved to the purpose-built campus in 2012 which was previously a toxic landfill dump.

The Scottish Government launched an independent review earlier this year after four teachers developed a rare form of bladder cancer .

Blue drinking water found at the school built on a landfill site (Daily Record)

Three of the four teachers are believed to have worked in the same corridor at the school, built on a toxic landfill dump.

Children at the schools were told several months ago they shouldn’t drink the blue-tinged water.

Now the government says tests will be carried out at the school.

In a statement the Scottish Government said: "Water and environment testing will be carried out at St Ambrose and Buchanan high school campus in Coatbridge.

"Water testing will be carried out by Scottish Water. Wider environmental testing at the campus will include soil, water and the integrity of the methane membrane, installed as a safety measure when the campus was built.

"The specific detail and locations of the testing will be determined by the review team in conjunction with SEPA and other environmental health bodies.

"The work follows a recommendation by the independent review team appointed by the Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

"The team is looking at specific health and safety concerns as well as the history, construction and maintenance of the school campus.

"The results of the tests will be published as part of the report due ahead of the school opening on 12 August."

The independent review is examining health concerns, including possible exposure to unspecified chemicals in the water resulting from previous land use at the site, and any link to developing cancer.

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