The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is planning to launch the Lead Sampling Program to help public schools investigate sources of lead within their plumbing systems. This program will be offered during the spring of 2022 and is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency's WIIN Act 2107 grant.
Our bodies can absorb lead in our bones, blood and tissues where it can be stored as a source of long-term exposure. We either breathe lead in as we inhale or swallow it in the water and food we ingest. Children have a soft "blood-brain barrier" which means exposure to lead can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, slow growth and development, or result in learning, hearing and speech problems. Lead can also travel through the placental barrier in pregnant women, which presents significant dangers to growing infants. Adults with lead poisoning may experience high blood pressure, joint and muscle pain, difficulties with memory, and other symptoms. Water is just one pathway for lead exposure. Other sources include paint, soil, dust and some consumer products. .
Lead typically enters drinking water through premise plumbing materials (inside a facility) or via a service line (a pipe that delivers water from the street water main to a facility). This soft metal was not likely a popular service line choice for large buildings. More common sources of lead within facilities will likely be fixtures (faucets, water coolers, etc.), copper lines with lead solder, and a variety of in-line leaded brass components such as shut-off valves. Many facilities across the nation purchased these leaded materials unknowingly over the last 100 years. Unfortunately, sources of lead likely exist within new and old buildings alike as the "lead-free" standard for plumbing materials allowed up to 8% lead until 2014. Water chemistry can make lead in premise plumbing systems more or less likely to leach into water. Sampling drinking water is the best way to identify lead risk in the plumbing system.
Public K-12 schools are eligible to participate in this program. We will prioritize elementary schools and districts serving a high percentage of disadvantaged students because lead poses the highest amount of risk to young children and testing can be costly. Click here to see a list of eligible schools that meet this criteria.
The program provides all the materials and support needed to conduct baseline sampling of the entire plumbing system.
Each participating school will receive:
School leaders must participate in an introductory online meeting with DANR staff and consultants, provide information for creating sample site plans, assist with coordination for sample collection and share results with public
EPA's WIIN Grant Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program
For additional questions or information, please contact Erin Fagnan, Drinking Water Program at 605-910-4953