Clean Water in Schools and Child Care Centers
Dear Parents, Teachers, Caregivers:
In June, Governor Polis signed into law Colorado House Bill 22-1358: Clean Water in Schools and Child Care Centers. This bill requires all licensed child care programs and eligible schools to test their drinking water for lead and take action when results are found above the action level. The goal of this law is to lower children’s exposure to lead. To meet these requirements Lake County Intermediate School is participating in the Voluntary EPA Lead Testing Program with Lake County Public Health and has tested all water sources for lead where children and staff get water for drinking and cooking.
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is especially harmful to young children. The degree of risk depends on the child’s total exposure to lead from all sources in the environment – air, soil, dust, food, paint, consumer products, and water. Typically old or corroded lead plumbing or old brass fixtures can contribute to increased lead levels in drinking water.If you are concerned about your child’s exposure you can have their blood tested. Please contact your health provider to learn more about blood lead testing, or for more information please visit: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/lead-testing.
The lead action level for testing drinking water in schools/child care facilities is five parts per billion (ppb). When lead is found at or above five parts per billion (ppb), the fixture is shut off while a more long term corrective action is underway. Long-term actions may include permanently removing the fixture from service, replacing drinking water faucets or fountains, or installing filters. For the fixtures where lead is found below the lead action level, we will follow routine practices to further lower potential exposure.
Fixtures Sampled | Lead Results | Immediate Action | Long Term Actions Planned |
Faucet in music office | Below action level | None | No |
Hallway drinking fountain by music office | Below action level | None | No |
Drinking fountain girls locker room | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
Nurses sink | Below action level | None | No |
Sink in assistant principals office/conference area | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
3rd grade wing classroom 1 faucet. Rm 200 | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing book room faucet | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
3rd grade wing classroom 8 faucet. Rm 205 | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing work room faucet | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing drinking fountain outside of boys bathroom | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing drinking fountain outside of girls bathroom | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing room 4 faucet. Rm 204 | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing room 4 drinking fountain. Rm 204 | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing room 5 faucet. Rm 209 | Below action level | None | No |
3rd grade wing room 5 drinking fountain. Rm 209 | Below action level | None | No |
4th grade wing room 1 faucet. Rm 210 | Below action level | None | No |
4th grade wing book room faucet | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
4th grade Project Dream Room furthest lookers right sink room between computer lab and teacher room | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
4th grade Project Dream Room furthest lookers middle sink room between computer lab and teacher room | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
4th Project Dream Room grade furthest lookers left sink room between computer lab and teacher room | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
4th grade work room sink. Rm 018 | Below action level | None | No |
4th grade drinking fountain outside of girls restroom | Below action level | None | No |
4th grade drinking fountain outside of boys restroom | Below action level | None | No |
Room 100- Employee fitness sink | Below action level | None | No |
Drinking fountain elevator hall in 5th grade wing | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
5th grade wing book room sink. | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
5th grade wing room 8 sink. Rm 101 | Below action level | None | No |
5th grade wing room 1 sink. Rm 106 | Below action level | None | No |
5th grade wing staff room sink | Below action level | None | No |
5th grade wing drinking fountain outside boys bathroom on map. Girls bathroom in school. | Below action level | None | No |
5th grade wing drinking fountain outside girls bathroom on map. Boys bathroom in school. | Below action level | None | No |
Gym drinking fountain | Below action level | None | No |
Kitchen lookers right sink. Single comp prep. | Below action level | None | No |
Kitchen lookers left sink. 2 comp prep. | Below action level | None | No |
6th grade wing classroom 1 faucet. Rm 300 | Below action level | None | No |
6th grade wing book room faucet. | Above action level | Removed access to drink | Yes |
6th grade wing classroom 8 faucet. Rm 305. | Below action level | None | No |
6th grade wing staff room faucet | Below action level | None | No |
6th grade wing drinking fountain outside boys bathroom | Below action level | None | No |
6th grade wing drinking fountain outside girls bathroom | Below action level | None | No |
You can view the detailed sample results and remediation plans at the following link: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/drinking-water/school-lead-testing-grants. Results may take up to 30 days to be posted on this webpage. Protecting the health and wellbeing of Colorado’s children is our top priority, and we will keep you updated during the process at Lake County Intermediate School. If you have questions or concerns about our facility and the actions we are taking, please contact Lake County Intermediate School.
Sincerely,
Corbin Logan
Chief Operations Officer
Lake County School District
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For more information on lead: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/lead
For Colorado lead testing requirements in drinking water: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/environment/lead-safety/test-and-fix-water-for-kids
For U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) general information on lead: www.epa.gov/lead