Testing Drinking Water for Lead in Public Schools: 2023

The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) addresses, supports, and improves America’s drinking water infrastructure, and federal grant funds from the WIIN Act have been used to develop a program to test drinking water for lead at Rhode Island schools. This program is a collaboration between the URI Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program, the RI Department of Health (RIDOH), and the RI Department of Education (RIDE).

Sampling results from participating schools will be complied and posted on the RI Department of Health website. Sampling results will help guide the recommendations provided in the final report. 

Drinking water is usually not a primary source of lead exposure, but no level of lead is considered safe. So, it is important to reduce all sources. The tabs below provide links to many useful resources for school staff, parents, community members, and others to ensure that drinking water in schools is free of lead.

Content from the 2016-2017 project that tested for lead in public schools and licensed daycare facilities can be found here.

Image Source: WeTap.org

• Resources - For Schools
• Signs - Printable and links to sources for purchasing

  These files can be downloaded and printed:

  • Danger – Non-potable water Do not drink (with faucet image)
  • Do not drink (with water fountain image)
  • Sign for kitchen sink – for reducing lead in food and drink
  • Hand wash only (text only)
  • Hand wash only (text and image)
  • Hand wash only (text in Spanish with image)
  • Public notice – do not drink, 2 signs, 1 English, 1 Spanish

  Links to sources for purchasing signs (inclusion here is NOT a recommendation, but rather meant to reduce the  search effort for sources):

  Hand wash only – 9″ x 3″ – $2.45 each:  https://www.acemart.com/furnishings/signage/door-and-wall-signs/tablecraft-394554-9-x-3-black-plastic-hand-wash-only-sign/TBL394554?gclid=CNah_ZDPs9ICFZpLDQodrk8HdQ

  Assorted non-potable signs:

  • https://www.compliancesigns.com/products/environmental/potable-and-nonpotable-water-signs
  • http://www.safetysign.com/non-potable-water-signs

  Assorted hand wash only signs: 

  • https://www.compliancesigns.com/search/go#w=hand%20wash%20only
  • https://www.safetysign.com/search?keywords=hand+wash+only

  “This is a hand washing sink only” – Options include aluminum, plastic and decals of various sizes:  https://www.compliancesigns.com/NHEP-9596.shtml

  Hand wash only – in Spanish – Options include aluminum, plastic and decals of various sizes:  https://www.compliancesigns.com/ONS-9596.shtml

  Hand wash only – with English and Spanish on one sign: http://www.mydoorsign.com/bilingual-hand-washing-only-solamente-para-lavar-manos-sign/sku-s-6009

  Do not drink – in Spanish – Options include aluminum, plastic and decals of various sizes: https://www.compliancesigns.com/ANS-2161.shtml

  Do not drink the water caution signs – plastic, decals and magnetic versions available: https://www.signstoyou.com/custom-signs/safety-signs/non-potable-water/s-874/

  Non-potable water – with English and Spanish on one sign:

  • http://www.mydoorsign.com/fos/non-potable-water-bilingual-notice-sign/sku-s2-1043
  • http://www.mydoorsign.com/fos/non-potable-water-sign/notice-non-potable-water-sign/sku-s-7208.aspx
• Resources - For Parents

  Lead Contamination of Water (RI Dept of Health)

  • Lead in School Drinking  Water

  Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water (US EPA, scroll down for an extensive list information and links to more resources)

  Health and Safety in School Facilities (RI Department of Education)

  Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Information for Parents (RI Dept of Health)

  Lead Poisoning Information for Homeowners (RI Dept of Health)

  Lead in Drinking Water Wells Tip Sheet (RI Safe Water)

  Copper in Drinking Water Wells Tip Sheet (RI Safe Water)

  9 Ways to Prevent and Deal with Lead Poisoning (Parent.com)

• School Testing Materials

   

  List of banned water coolers (Adapted from 3Ts)

• Communication Materials

   

  Water cooler notification (list of banned fixtures)

   

• Scope of Work