claims that tests for lead in water were hidden from families.

Capt. Jim Arnold has denied that the tests, which found high levels of lead in water supplies of the base's schools, were kept away from parents who feared the effects on their children.

And at a meeting last night around 150 parents were given full details of studies started in February.

Capt. Arnold stressed that he was trying to allay fears that have been expressed by families on the base.

He said: "Somebody has tried to perceive that the base has tried to withhold information. That is not so.

"A number of states and cities in the United States have lead levels in water which are too high. The problem is that you do not cure it overnight. "No water is absolutely pure. H2o is something you write down on a piece of paper.

All water has some form of contaminate in it.'' Fears arose about the levels when a letter was sent to parents on Monday by Lt. Cmdr.

Danny Fahler of the Medical Services corps.

But The Royal Gazette revealed yesterday that a report had already warned the principal at Chaffee High School, Dr. Tom Smith, of the problem in August.

And at last night's meeting it was revealed that paediatric lead screening for children would now become normal practice for the Navy.

It was found that of the 131 water samples taken at the schools, 43 were below the action level. Signs were installed throughout the schools identifying water status at various taps.

But the children were removing the water stickers and Capt. Arnold has promised stronger stickers. Sinks and fountains in the classrooms will be secured and water coolers introduced.

The parents were also told that cafeteria sinks, where food is prepared, will be off limits for the present.

The letter from Lt. Cmdr. Fahler said: "It is understood that you are concerned about the possibility of lead contamination from water sources aboard the US Naval Air Station, Bermuda.

"While the probability of contamination is considered to be very low, in order to allay fears, the branch clinic will offer blood level testing, free of charge to all personnel who wish to have their children tested.

"In order to perform blood level testing, we must draw one tube of blood to submit to a laboratory back in the United States for analysis.

"This does require a needle stick to draw the blood sample. Additionally, we will ask you to complete a short questionnaire to help us determine possible history of exposure.'' An in-depth report tests at Naval Air Station Bermuda stated that if lead is present in drinking water it enters the water after it leaves the local water treatment plant.

The report said: "Testing at NAS Bermuda has shown that drinking water lead levels at the source (where the water goes into the distribution system) are well below the action level for source waters.

"The most likely source of lead contamination at NAS Bermuda is through corrosion of lead-containing pipes, solder and fixtures, or other parts of the plumbing system which distributes water within our buildings.

"Although we do not have any lead pipes at NAS Bermuda, we do have many buildings in which lead-based solder was used.'' Capt. Arnold said they were well ahead of United States Environmental Protection Agency guidelines which state that testing for lead must by started by July 1, 1993.

In fact the study of the base's water system is to be contracted in early 1993. The report said: "Upon receiving the result of the study, a follow-on contract will be developed to implement any improvements required to our water system.'' After last night's meeting a mother, who asked not to be named, said that parents were a lot happier with the explanations.