Get The Lead Out NM (GTLO) Program

There are no federal regulations that require testing of drinking water in schools and childcare facilities, except for those that are their own public water systems and are therefore subject to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR).

According to EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, community water systems are required to conduct public education and lead monitoring at schools and childcare facilities they serve. Those that are eligible to be sampled for lead according to these criteria can request assistance from their community water system.

All Public schools and licensed childcare facilities in New Mexico are eligible to participate in the New Mexico Environment Department’s free Get The Lead Out NM Program.

Generally, facilities should not flush lines before a sampling event; however, there are some circumstance when flushing may be appropriate such as after holidays, winter and summer vacation, or the weekend.

Flushing before a sampling event can be used to ensure that the most accurate representation of typical water use is recorded. Water that is sitting in plumbing for too long can give inaccurate results. Consult with your sampling representative to create a plan before a sampling event.

Further information is located under the “Enrolled Facility Resources” button on the GTLO main page.

Samples for 3Ts will be collected at locations used for drinking water or consumption. This includes drinking fountains, kitchen and classroom sinks, sinks used to fill coffee pots or for cooking and washing dishes, and ice machines.

Non-potable sites such as mop bucket sinks, utility sinks, outdoor hoses, or eye wash stations are not typically sampled. If there is potential that these sites may be used (e.g., the outdoor hoses are used to fill water jugs for sports activities), schools should use clear signage to notify people that the faucet should not be used for drinking or cooking. If they are known to be used for drinking water, they should be included in the site sampling plan.

An NMED contractor will sample appropriate sites at your location as determined during the initial inventory with your sampling representative.

An NMED contractor will handle your outlet inventory, all sample collections, and will report results to you once they are received, unless you opt to have staff trained to conduct these tasks.

Once you have been contacted by a representative, NMED’s contractor will schedule an appropriate time to complete the initial inventory and the subsequent sampling events (some facilities may require additional sampling based on initial test results).

Sampling events will be conducted early in the morning before staff and students arrive. Be sure to avoid using any plumbing in the building before a sampling event.

Typically sampling events will not be conducted after holidays, breaks, or weekends. However, if your sampling event does fall on a day after one of these occasions, you may be asked to conduct flushing before the event.

How frequently your facility can and should test for lead in drinking water depends on a variety of factors (e.g., plumbing, water quality, lead results, budget, and competing priorities).

3Ts does not recommend a set frequency for sampling schools and childcare facilities, but does note that annual monitoring provides information regarding changes in the lead levels and the effectiveness of remediation or treatment efforts, as well as timely notice of lead levels that need to be addressed.

Regardless of the frequency set by your facility, EPA recommends that the sampling frequency be documented, and that schools and childcare facilities make testing drinking water a part of their regular building operations.