Schools
HOW GCWW IS HELPING SCHOOLS
We look forward to helping you!
Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) is dedicated to ensuring schools throughout our service area have safe and healthy drinking water.
Although there is no federal law requiring testing of drinking water in most schools, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has warned lead may be present at older facilities. Lead can enter water by leaching from aging plumbing materials and fixtures as water flows through a school’s distribution system. Although our drinking water meets all federal and state standards for lead when it leaves the utility, some schools still may have elevated lead levels due to the materials used in their buildings.
More information may be found here: 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities: Revised Manual
Beginning in April 2016, GCWW formed partnerships to better ensure the health and safety of students, teachers and staff in the area’s educational facilities. In conjunction with the Cincinnati Health Department and Hamilton County Public Health, we are testing water at schools and child care facilities. We eventually plan to expand testing to other places where children spend a lot of time including restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, churches, libraries, parks, and entertainment venues.
What does our partnership involve? We work with the school to:
- Verify the material of service lines providing water to the schools
- Share copies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s list of best practices for reducing lead in drinking water
- Provide water testing kits to the schools, free of charge
- Analyze the samples, free of charge
- Collect follow-up samples, if needed
- Consider follow-up samples, if needed
- Assist with a remediation plan, if needed
- Help address media questions regarding testing and results
See Frequently Asked Questions below.
School FAQs Download FAQs
What has prompted a review of lead in water systems across the nation?
Recent crises involving elevated levels of lead in drinking water in other cities in the United States have reached prominence on a national level. These events have resulted in federal and state regulators reacting to quickly review current regulations concerning lead in drinking water.
What has Greater Cincinnati Water Works been doing regarding the issue of lead?
GCWW provides treatment specifically to minimize the amount of lead that may leach into the drinking water. This treatment process, called corrosion control, minimizes the chance that lead can be picked up from home and building plumbing.
GCWW has debuted its Leading The Way initiative, an enhanced outreach program to provide education about lead in drinking water, and is encouraging customers to take action on lead service lines in the community to reduce the potential risk of lead exposure.
Why are schools a focus?
The increased awareness of lead has resulted in public attention to drinking water quality in schools. Schools are a focus since young children are at a higher risk of adverse health consequences from lead exposure.
How might a school’s students and teachers be exposed to lead?
There are several sources of lead exposure in the environment, one of which may include drinking water, depending on the plumbing materials used at the school. There is no lead in drinking water when it leaves the water treatment plant, and GCWW’s water distribution mains do not contain lead. However, water service branches (the water pipes that provide water from the water main in the street to a building) may be made of lead, and/or plumbing materials and fixtures inside a building may contain lead. Although GCWW employs an effective corrosion control process to minimize the amount of lead that leaches into the water, the presence of lead materials in a water system will still present a risk.
Where can I find more information about sampling in schools?
While there is no federal law requiring schools to test for lead in drinking water, the United States Environmental Protection Agency Guidelines (3Ts Guidelines ) to address the potential presence of lead in school drinking water. GCWW highly recommends schools follow the practices outlined to assist them with understanding the water quality within school facilities. Facilities managers and other school personnel should thoroughly read the 3Ts Guidelines and understand the various steps needed to complete the recommendations.
What is GCWW doing to assist schools in determining their drinking water quality? GCWW is working proactively to educate school staff on the issue of lead in drinking water and partnering with them to assist in understanding the water quality within their facilities.
GCWW is working proactively to educate school staff on the issue of lead in drinking water and partnering with them to assist in understanding the water quality within their facilities.
Is there a cost to the school to partner with GCWW?
There is no financial cost for your school to partner with GCWW. However, school staff should expect to spend time completing a sampling plan as well as collecting samples. Additional costs may occur if a remediation plan is needed. Some remediation costs may be covered through grants from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (ofcc.ohio.gov).
Are any other partners involved?
GCWW has partnered with the Cincinnati Health Department and Hamilton County Public Health. Both organizations may be involved if lead is detected in facilities.
Where should I sample in the schools?
Each drinking water and cooking outlet within the school facility should be sampled. This includes drinking fountains and sinks in restrooms and classrooms as well as sinks used for food preparation in the kitchen area. The 3Ts Guidelines explains in detail where sampling should be done. It is strongly encouraged that school staff review the 3Ts Guidelines to further understand the proper sampling protocol.
When should I sample in the schools?
You should sample when school is in session and first thing in the morning, prior to facility water use for the day. Sampling during the summer or right after weekends and vacation periods (when buildings are vacant and no water is being used) does not provide an adequate representation of the water quality within school facilities. The 3Ts Guidelines provides additional details on when to sample within the facility.
Where can I get sampling bottles?
GCWW will provide sample bottles/kits for you. These kits will either be mailed to you or you can arrange to pick them up.
Who can analyze the samples for me?
GCWW can analyze the samples for your school. GCWW is certified and offers to perform lead analyses free of charge. GCWW can also provide referrals if a school would like to use a private laboratory to analyze samples.
How long will it take to receive the sample results?
It normally takes GCWW 2 to 3 weeks to analyze samples and provide the results. However, this time frame may increase or decrease depending on the volume of workload at any given time.
What happens if the sample results indicate detections of lead?
GCWW will call or meet to discuss the school’s results. If necessary, follow-up sampling can be arranged. GCWW can also discuss short and long-term remediation options with you.
Will I receive my results in writing?
Yes, GCWW will provide your results in writing. Performing sampling and eliminating sources of lead are very positive steps that show the school is being proactive in protecting the health of children. The 3Ts Guidelines provides information about how to communicate with families regarding your program. School personnel are strongly encouraged to review this document and determine which communications method(s) works best for their school community (staff, parents, students).
What will GCWW do with the sample results?
GCWW will share the results with the Cincinnati Health Department, Hamilton County Public Health or other health departments where applicable. To further assist schools and increase transparency of data, GCWW will include the results of all school lead analyses on its website. GCWW will also post any remediation steps schools are implementing so those reviewing the results are aware that corrective actions are being taken.
What can you expect from GCWW as your partner?
As a partner, you can expect the following from GCWW:
- An explanation of our records of service lines providing water to the schools
- Verification of the actual service lines
- A link or a copy of the recommended USEPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools: Revised Technical Guidance Document (3Ts Guidelines)
- Provision of sample kits to the schools
- Analysis of the samples and results discussion
- Consideration of follow-up samples, if needed
- Assistance with a remediation plan
- Posting of the results to the lead.mygcww.org website, school section
- Assistance with creating a communications plan for the school community
What is GCWW expecting from the school?
- A thorough sampling plan, identifying drinking water and cooking outlet sample locations
- Communication with the school community regarding the sampling
- Collection of samples following the sampling protocol outlined in the 3Ts Guidelines
- Review of the sample results with GCWW and the appropriate health department
- Follow-up sampling, if needed
- Communication regarding sampling results to the school community
- Development and implementation of remediation plans, if necessary