EXCLUSIVE: Coatbridge parents want kids tested after 'blue water' found at two schools
It emerged earlier this year the drinking water at St Ambrose and Buchanan High schools had three times the normal amounts of the metal, causing it to appear blue.
Last updated 1st Mar 2019
Clyde News can exclusively reveal the parents of pupils at two Coatbridge schools are demanding North Lanarkshire Council have their kids tested for long term damage caused by copper in the water.
It emerged earlier this year the drinking water at St Ambrose and Buchanan High schools had three times the normal amounts of the metal, causing it to appear blue.
Teachers allegedly reported it to the local authority three years ago.
Digesting high amounts of copper can lead to stomach upsets and sickness.
One mum, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: "The kids have been complains of severe headaches, severe stomach aches, sickness, vomiting, extreme fatigue. Some are coming home and falling asleep and not waking back up again until they have to get up for school the next day.
"The amount of kids that are now coming to light that have been off school with the same symptoms... it is a very high number. There are also kids who have developed serious illnesses which are now being investigated to see if they are related.
"Every single child is that school should be tested to see if there is any toxins in their bodies.
"It is time that we get answers, what we really want is to get the kids tested to see if this copper has caused their illnesses."
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “A letter has been issued today to provide a further update on what action we have taken at the school campus.
“It is understandable that parents and carers have been concerned and they have been kept up to date on the significant programme of work to replace over 1800 metres of copper piping with plastic pipes at the schools.
“This work is now complete and we have replaced all water filters and flushed and filtrated the entire system. These pipe replacement works have been considerable and have taken place at the weekends and holidays when pupils were not present.
“Samples from a number of the drinking water outlets across the facility have been taken by Environmental Health and the results show that readings are well within regulatory levels and drinking water meets the required standards."