Burncoat High 2023 Water Testing Letter

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September 2023

To the Students, Families, and Staff of Burncoat High School,

During recent lead and copper water sampling, some fixtures at our school had levels of lead above the lead detection limit and/or copper above the Action Level. Samples were collected from all taps and fixtures used for drinking, cooking, and medical uses. Samples were taken at each tap or fixture for both a first draw sample with the water standing in the tap overnight as well as a flushed sample after the tap was run. See information on sample collection procedures for school samples.

In accordance with the USEPA’s Revised 3Ts Manual, MassDEP’s Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA) program recommends that schools and early education and care programs evaluate and remediate all taps/fixtures used for drinking, food preparation or medical uses with lead results above the Massachusetts certified laboratory detection limit of 1ppb (0.001 milligrams per liter (mg/L)) until the lowest possible concentration of lead is achieved. The Massachusetts Action Level for copper in drinking water is 1.3 mg/L (also known as parts per million).

For MassDEP information on lead and copper in drinking water see:

• Lead information
• Copper information
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health information on Lead and Copper

Sampling Results and Related Action Plan

Date Sampled	Type of Fixture Sampled	Sample Location	Lead result mg/L	Lead result after 30 second flush mg/L	Copper result mg/L	Copper result after 30 second flush mg/L	Action Plan
5/11/2023	Home economics sink	Room E-8 – left	0.0033	0.0003	N/A	N/A	Post “Handwashing Only” sign
5/11/2023	Home economics sink	Room E-6 – left	0.0022	0.00031	N/A	N/A	Post “Handwashing Only” sign
5/11/2023	Kitchen faucet	Kitchen	0.002	None Detected	N/A	N/A	Flush for 30 seconds at start of the day
5/11/2023	Room D-6A	Health Suite – exam Room 1	0.0017	0.00025	N/A	N/A	Post “Handwashing Only” sign
5/11/2023	Other – sink	Room B-15	0.0014	0.0011	N/A	N/A	Flush for 30 seconds at start of the day

The Worcester Public Schools (WPS) takes these results very seriously and is taking steps to address identified issues. We continue to work closely and cooperatively with MassDEP. In accordance with the LCCA program, routine sampling of drinking water will be conducted in each school at least every three years.

In addition to specific actions in your school, WPS is conducting the following activities across the district:

1. Posting updated signage at fixtures with lead and/or copper levels over the lead detection limit and/or copper Action Level. Many of the fixtures above the action levels in the district were sinks used just for handwashing. The Massachusetts Department of Health states that water that contains lead or copper is not harmful if used for handwashing.
2. Providing information to students, families, staff, and local officials.
3. Communicating with WPS departments such as Nutrition, Nursing, etc., to implement action plans, as needed.
4. Ensuring that there is adequate water for drinking and food preparation if we must temporarily take fixtures off-line to conduct further sampling or implement corrective actions. Bottled water has been made available to all students and staff in buildings without sufficient drinking water sources.
5. Utilizing the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust School Water Improvement Grant (SWIG) to install filtered water bottle filler units in 25 of our school buildings. WPS is also assessing buildings for additional drinking fountain replacements with filtered water bottle filler units using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding.

Sources and Sampling of Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

In Massachusetts, most drinking water sources from reservoirs and groundwater do not contain elevated levels of lead or copper. Lead enters drinking water primarily by leaching from plumbing that contains lead, such as a lead service line (all known lines containing lead have been removed) that connects a building to the water main in the street, or from plumbing and fixtures inside a building. Copper enters drinking water primarily by leaching from plumbing that contains copper.

Lead and copper leaching is most likely to occur when the water is heated or is not moving, generally overnight or at other times when the water is not used for several hours. Therefore, MassDEP requires the fixtures to be sampled first thing in the morning after the water in the building has not been used overnight.

A Reminder from MassDEP

The water system at the school is not unlike water systems found in other buildings. Older plumbing systems and fixtures, especially, can contain lead pipes or solder that can allow lead to enter tap water.

If you have any questions on this information, please contact the WPS Facilities Department at 508-799-3151.

Sincerely,

Superintendent of Schools