United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
xvEPA
3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water
in Schools and
Child Care
Facilities
FACT SHEET FOR PUBLIC WATER SUPPLIERS
As a public water supplier, you perform regular tests to
ensure that the water you deliver meets all federal and
state standards for lead. However, children may still be
at risk from elevated levels of lead in drinking water due
to the pipes or plumbing fixtures found in their school
and child care facilities. Although most lead exposure
occurs when people eat paint chips and inhale dust, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates
that up to 20% of lead exposure may come from drinking
water. Children are extremely vulnerable to the health
risks associated with exposure to elevated levels of lead.
As children spend a significant portion of their days in
a school or child care setting, it is critical to ensure that
the drinking water sources in these environments do not
contain elevated lead levels.
Lend your expertise to prevent lead
contamination and keep our children
safe from lead exposure. Partner with
your local schools to start a Lead in
Drinking Water Control Program.
To help schools safeguard their occupant's health, the
EPA developed the 37s for Reducing Lead in Drinking
Water in Schools: Revised Technical Guidance. The
3Ts - training, testing and telling - provide information
schools and child care centers need to: identify potential
sources of lead in their facilities, monitor school drinking
water for elevated lead levels, resolve problems if
elevated lead levels are found, and communicate about
their lead control programs.
You can affirm and communicate your utility's
commitment to minimizing lead exposure at the tap
by partnering with your local schools and child care
providers to implement a 37s Program. Your expertise
and collaboration could aid your local schools and child
care centers in:
Understanding the Source of Lead in Drinking
Water
As a utility, you may choose to provide information
on how lead leaches from facility plumbing, water
quality factors affecting the water's corrosivity, or
your corrosion control program. Simply providing
your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) may be
helpful.
Developing a Sampling Plan
Most schools and child care facilities are not familiar
with water quality sampling. You can inform
appropriate school staff about identifying and
tracking sample locations, proper timing of sample
events, sampling protocols and management of
sample results.
Conducting Proper Sample Collection
You may assist schools and child care facilities in
proper sampling protocols to assure correct results.
This assistance may include direct participation
in training events or a train-the-trainer technical
assistance strategy.
Analyzing Samples
Assistance in this area can take a number of forms,
including explaining the appropriate analytical
methods, identifying certified laboratories and
assisting in selection of laboratory services, or
providing analytical services through in-house
laboratories.
Effects of Exposure to Lead:
Infants and children exposed to lead can
experience: delays in physical and mental
development, lower IQ levels, reduced attention
span, learning disabilities, hearing loss,
hyperactivity, and poor classroom performance.
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> Reviewing Results and Options to Control Lead
Exposure
As a water supplier, you may have personnel available
to interpret sample results and help school decision
makers understand identify cost-effective control
solutions.
>• Targeting Evaluation Effort
In school districts with multiple buildings dedicated
to teaching, it may not be immediately possible to
sample every location. You may be able to offer
support in prioritizing locations by evaluating lead
levels in a limited or targeted group of facilities. For
example, you might help a school system develop
a pilot approach to evaluating its facilities and to
identify the characteristics of buildings that make
them especially vulnerable to elevated levels of lead
in the drinking water.
Everyone can play a
role in ensuring that
schools and child care
centers provide safe
water for children to
drink. Water utilities
have established
themselves as
national leaders in
public health. You
can help prevent
children's exposure
to lead in drinking water by partnering with your local
schools and child care centers to promote and implement
the 37s for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools.
Collaborative partnerships provide a great opportunity
for community involvement in drinking water issues and
public health protection.
Potential Sources of
Lead in Drinking Water:
lead solder; lead pipe
and pipe fittings; faucets,
valves, meters and other
system components
containing brass;
sediment.
Here is a list of things to keep in mind
before you contact a school/child care
facility:
> If an effort is underway, find out
who is heading up the effort and
work with them
> Make sure your contribution is part
of a coordinated effort
>• Ensure you've identified the cost and
benefits of assistance for your utility
*• Identify possible roles for your utility
and schools
> Have in mind possible and realistic
roles for the school, keeping in mind
that they have many competing
priorities
> Schools may have complex
governance structures—you may
need to talk with many parties,
including administrators, parents,
lawyers, or school boards before
moving forward.
DOWNLOAD The 37s For Reducing Lead In
Drinking Water In Schools: Revised Technical
Guidance at no cost by visiting www.epa.
gov/safewater/schools or order a free copy
by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at
1-800-426-4791.
Office of Water (4606M)
EPA816-F-07-023
www. e pa. g ov/saf ewater
October 2007
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