Lead in Water Program
To test for lead, samples are collected at all schools following Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) guidelines. The EPA and MDH has established a new limit for lead in school drinking water at 5 parts per billion (ppb). This new standard goes into effect on July 1st, 2024, and school districts across the state will have five years to test all of their buildings and implement corrective actions.
To be proactive about the health and safety of SPPS students and staff, the Environmental Services Group (ESG) is in the process of retesting all fixtures at every building ahead of the official start date set by the statute. Historical lead in water data is available from previous rounds of testing.
Testing Methodology and Protocol
Purpose
The district goal is to provide lead safe drinking water sources throughout all its facilities. This will include identification of water sources that are considered drinking sources, water testing, and follow-up procedures.
Methodology
This program is modeled after the Minnesota Department of Health’s “Reducing Lead in Drinking Water: A Manual for Minnesota’s Schools.” The program identifies potable water sources, sources of lead, and outlines follow-up procedures for fixtures testing high in lead content.
Testing Protocol:
- Sample collection is performed in the morning the day after flushing or standard use of a fixture to capture the “worst case” sample of the drinking water a person may consume from a fixture in regular operation.
- Taps must sit stagnant for a minimum of 6 hours, but not more than 18 hours, before testing occurs.
- The water is the “first draw” of water from a fixture.
- The sample collection size is 250 ml.
- The samples are sent to a Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) approved lab for analysis or analyzed with an approved anodic stripping voltammetry method.
- Test results should be at or below 5 parts per billion (ppb).
- All drinking water sources are sampled every five years.
Potential drinking water sources include:
- Drinking fountains
- Water bottle fillers (hydration stations)
- Sinks in classrooms (except science lab rooms in junior and senior highs)
- All kitchen area sources
- All nurse/heath area sources
- Restroom sinks
- Office sinks
- Boiler Room sinks
- Custodial closet slop sinks
- Additional sources may be added if they are identified as sources of consumption by the facility occupants
High Test Results
Fixtures testing above 5ppb will be shut off as soon as possible and have a follow-up sample collected after corrective actions occur.
Corrective Actions
The water fixtures that test above the state imposed threshole will be disconnected and the principal will be notified. The Facilities Department will remediate the taps that test high for lead by replacing them with new fixtures, instituting flushing controls, or replacing affected water lines as necessary. Additional rounds of sampling will be conducted to ensure the corrective actions sufficiently lower lead levels in the affected fixtures.
Hydration Stations
Facilities has purchased and installed at minimum two hydration stations at every school in the District. Additional stations are being installed as a part of the newest round of testing.
How Can I Learn More?
For more information on lead in water, read the Minnesota Department of Health's guide on reducing lead in water in schools.
For information about water quality and sampling for lead at home, contact your local water supplier or state drinking water agency.
Additional Information
FAQ About Lead in Water Testing
TESTING RESULTS
Lead in Water Results 2016- Current
FEATURED NEWS ARTICLES:
Featured in an article by The National Drinking Water Alliance
To request a lead test for any drinking water or to report a concern, please complete a form or contact ESG@spps.org or call Facilities One-stop with immediate concerns 651-744-1800