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Follow-up Steps for Schools or Child Care Facilities Based on Lead and Copper Sampling Results

If lead and copper results are above the action level your facility should follow steps 1 through 9.

  1. Shut Off Problem Fixtures - Immediately shut off or disconnect any fixture with sample results exceeding 0.015 mg/L for lead and/or 1.3 mg/L for copper. Place a placard on the fixture indicating that it has been shut off due to high lead and/or copper levels and will remain out of service until the problem is corrected. Other interim measures include:

    • Flush the piping system in your building every morning and especially after vacations.
    • Provide bottled water if necessary.
    • Use only cold water for food and beverage preparation.

  2. Contact the Local Public Water System (PWS) - If the lab report came from your PWS, you should contact them to discuss the results and see if they can provide you assistance in setting up a sampling program for your facility. If the sampling was initiated by your facility, you should make the PWS aware of any results that exceed the Action Levels.


  3. Conduct Outreach to Staff and Parents - Provide staff, students, and parents with a letter informing them of the lab results and describing your plans to correct the problem. For a sample letter see: http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/smplltr.htm.


  4. Follow-up Sampling - Conduct follow-up testing to determine if the lead contamination results are from the fixture or from the connecting plumbing if initial test results reveal lead greater than 0.015 mg/L or copper greater than 1.3 mg/L.


  5. Create a School Profile/Map - Every school/facility is unique and a plumbing profile and map will help you understand the potential sources of lead in your facility. If your facility has not already done so, complete a plumbing profile and map. Records should be reviewed to determine whether remediation actions have been taken. For example, have water coolers that contain lead been replaced and has a site map been developed that identifies plumbing fixtures used for drinking water (assign each location an ID number) and to prepare food and beverages. See web link below for information on developing a school/childcare facility profile/map.


  6. Establish Sampling Program - Identify and prioritize sample sites. MassDEP recommends that priority sample sites include drinking fountains (both bubbler and water cooler style), kitchen sinks, classroom combination sinks, home economics room sinks, teachers' lounge sinks, nurse's office sinks, sinks in special education classrooms, and any other fixtures known to be used for consumption. A recommended sampling plan would include sampling 1/3 (or a minimum of 10 per school) of the drinking water outlets annually to establish a baseline. Schools should plan on re-sampling these sites every 3 years, including any new fixtures that are installed. See web link below for information on developing a sampling plan.


  7. Permanent Measures - Permanently reduce or eliminate the sources of lead that originate in your building's plumbing. All measures must be conducted by a licensed plumber. Permanent measures to address long-term health concerns may include:

    • Shut off and remove or replace problem outlets or components.
    • Check ground wires and eliminate any that may accelerate corrosion of lead.
    • Check and replace all Lead Service lines. Contact local PWS to check status of lead service line.
    • Replace lead pipes within the school or reconfigure plumbing to bypass sources of lead contamination.
    • Install time-operated solenoid valves to automatically flush problem outlets.
    • Use lead-free materials to repair or replace the facility's plumbing system.
    • Use only cold water for food and beverage preparation.
    • Clean aerators in accordance with regular maintenance schedule.

  8. Complete New or Updated MassDEP Checklist - The Checklist allows MassDEP and its Lead Contamination Control Act partners to assist schools. The checklist should be completed and sent back to MassDEP for evaluation upon request or following any major additions/repairs or remediation of fixtures due to exceedence of action levels. Checklist results will be analyzed for findings and shared with the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to allow for appropriate follow-up action. See web link below for a copy of the checklist.


  9. Seek Assistance from Others - Schools, school districts and child care facilities should research opportunities for assistance from local officials including the public water supplier, Board of Health, Plumbing Inspector, and elected officials; as well as from certified water testing laboratories.

If lead and copper results are below the action level your facility should follow steps 5, 6 and 8.

For more information see http://www.mass.gov/dep/water/drinking/leadothe.htm#leadcop.