1. Preventing Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water
An initiative of
<Utility Name>
PROJECT BRIEFING
SCHOOL/FACILITY NAME
DATE

2. Background
Lead is a common element that has been used in the manufacture of numerous products
For centuries, lead was used in plumbing because of its pliability and resistance to leaks
It has also been found to be highly toxic and associated with a variety of adverse health effects
Infants, children and pregnant women are especially at risk

3. Background
Until the 1950s, lead was commonly used in water service laterals, which connect utility pipelines to individual properties <replace this bullet with local information as available>
It was also used in the manufacture of plumbing fixtures, as well as solder, into the 1980s
While lead in drinking water is a prominent issue, most exposure is due to lead-based paint and contaminated soil

4. Lead Regulations
Lead in drinking water is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act
The Lead and Copper Rule is based upon a “treatment technique” requirement in which a lead “action level” is a trigger for mitigation
If more than 10% of tap water samples analyzed under the monitoring program exceed 15 parts per billion, water systems must take additional steps
Under the Lead and Copper Rule, monitoring takes place at worst-case sampling locations
The Lead and Copper Rule is under revision

5. Lead Regulations
While the Lead and Copper Rule does not specifically mandate testing at schools and child care facilities, the Lead Contamination Control Act does address these consumers
The Lead Contamination Control Act prohibits drinking water coolers (water fountains) that are not lead-free
The law requires water samples to be analyzed for lead by a state-approved laboratory
It also provides guidance to schools on sampling and testing protocols

6. Recommended Measures
To prevent water-based exposure to lead at schools and child care facilities, <Utility Name> recommends that facilities:
Develop a plumbing profile – evaluate all plumbing materials at the facility to determine if lead materials are present
Develop a sampling plan and protocol – identify and prioritize locations, and establish a written sampling to ensure valid results
Assess results – determine whether mitigation is appropriate
Create a mitigation plan – identify and prioritize specific actions that will reduce exposure to lead through drinking water
Evaluate outcomes – conduct follow-up sampling to determine the effectiveness of mitigation measures

7. Communication
Transparency on this issue is of paramount importance. Schools and child care facilities should develop and implement a plan to communicate with parents and other stakeholders about lead:
Explain how lead can enter the water supply, as well as other potential sources of lead (paint chips, soil, etc.)
Provide testing results and other relevant data to the public
Identify what steps are being taken to minimize lead in drinking water
Share information consumers can use to reduce their children’s exposure to lead

8. Resources
Numerous entities make information available to help schools and child care facilities minimize lead exposure and communicate with stakeholders:
3Ts (Training, Testing, Telling) for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools Guidelines, Environmental Protection Agency,
<UTILITY DOCUMENTS OR WEBSITE, as applicable>