Lead in Schools and Childcare Facilities Drinking Water (LWSC) 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 Lead in Schools and Childcare Facilities Drinking Water 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 LWSC 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.

The Lead in Schools and Childcare Facilities Drinking Water (LWSC) Program is a voluntary program started by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) using guidance from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water (3Ts) program. The 3Ts program aims to assist schools and childcare facilities in the removal of lead from drinking water.

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.

• EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water
• 3Ts Checklist
• 3Ts for Public Water Systems

• Free Sampling and Testing: All sampling materials and testing of samples by an accredited lab are provided through NMED and partner agencies.
• Remediation Planning and Implementation:  If lead is found, NMED will assist the facility in creating and implementing a remediation plan appropriate for the facility.
• Monetary Assistance: NMED offers monetary assistance to qualifying facilities to cover costs associated with addressing lead issues identified through the LWSC program.

The process begins with an application to the program. Once your application has been accepted, you will be contacted for further information, such as facility maps and plumbing plans. You can get started by with the “Enrolled Facility Resources” tab below.

Before sampling can begin, a sampling representative will review maps and plans or conduct a walkthrough of your facility to identify and create an inventory of all sinks and fountains that could be used for consumption. As part of the inventory, a plumbing profile and code system will be created for your facility.

• Conducting a Walkthrough and Determining Sample Locations
• Example Walkthrough Map
• Water Cooler Recalls

After the inventory, a sampling event will be set up to take place early in the morning before your facility has opened. It is important that the water has not been used for at least 8 hours, but no more than 18 hours, before a sample is taken to get accurate results. Discuss this step with your sampling representative.

2-Step Sampling Procedures

Once complete, the samples are sent to an accredited laboratory for analytical testing. After lab analysis, results will be available in no more than 30 days. You will be notified by an NMED representative as soon as your results are available. All test results will be posted on NMED’s website.

Testing results by School – COMING SOON

Based on your facility’s sample results, you may work with an NMED representative to create an appropriate remediation and replacement plan. NMED will assist with remediation costs as funding allows. Re-sampling will take place after complete implementation of the remediation and replacement plan. All test results will be posted on NMED’s website.

Remediation Options

When a facility completes all steps of the program, they will receive a certificate that acknowledges their participation and efforts to provide lead-free drinking water to students and staff. However, there are actions and activities facilities can continue to take to protect and educate. Participants are also welcome to reach out to their NMED representative at any time with questions or comments.

Sample Certificate

Lead poisoning is when a person’s health or body functions are negatively affected by lead contamination in what they eat, drink, touch, or breathe.

There are many factors that affect how different people’s bodies handle exposure to lead. These factors include a person’s age, nutritional status, and genetic makeup, as well as the source of lead and length of their exposure.

No safe blood lead level has been identified. Children are especially at risk from lead because of their small size and developing brains.

Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect a child’s IQ, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement.

A blood lead test is the most common way to find out if your child has been exposed to lead and has a detectable blood lead level. Most children with detectable levels of lead in their blood have no obvious symptoms.

If you think your child may have been exposed to lead, talk to your child’s health care provider about getting a blood lead test. Your health care provider and most local health departments can test for lead in your child’s blood.

Many private insurance policies cover the cost of testing for blood lead. Children covered by Medicaid are eligible for free testing. Contact the New Mexico Department of Health for more details.

There is no cure for lead poisoning. That is why preventing exposure to lead, especially among children, is important. Finding and removing sources of lead from the child’s environment is needed to prevent further exposure.

While there is no cure, parents can help reduce the effects of lead by talking to their doctor and getting connected to learning, nutritional, and behavioral programs as soon as possible.

Contact your school’s administrator to learn more about their involvement in testing and reducing lead in drinking water.

If you child’s school is also a public water supply, it is required to follow the Safe Drinking Water Act and could be already required to sample for lead in drinking water under the federal Lead and Copper Rule. You may request the system’s test results by contacting the public water supply.

Schools and child care facilities do not have any federal regulations mandating testing of drinking water in schools with the exception of those serving as public water supplies. This is why NMED has developed their own monitoring assistance program.