Lincoln-Sudbury Gets Results of Lead and Copper Testing in School's Water

SUDBURY, MA — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection recently gave schools a chance to participate in a testing program for lead and copper, and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School took party, with 130 samples submitted at the end of September.

Every water fixture in the school where one might be expected to drink from was tested pre- and post- flushing.

The first action tests the fixture, the latter tests the pipeline. Of the 130 samples submitted, said Superintendent Bella Wong, one of the water taps at the school had lead and two had copper levels that exceed the Massachusetts Action Level for lead and the Massachusetts and Federal Action Level for copper in drinking water at schools and early education and child care facilities.

The Massachusetts Action Level for lead in drinking water is 0.015 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million). The Massachusetts and Federal Action Level for copper in drinking water is 1.3 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million).

Exposure to lead is a concern because lead is a toxic metal that has a range of adverse health effects, said Wong in a press release. Faucet 1 has not been in use since the opening of the school in 2004 and has been removed. Copper is a necessary micronutrient and is needed in small “trace” amounts for good health but too much copper in the diet or in drinking water may cause adverse health effects, she added. Some people who consume drinking water with copper in excess of the EPA action level may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. However, most people are unlikely to experience health problems from exposure to modestly elevated copper levels in drinking water because the human body has a natural mechanism for maintaining the proper level of copper in it.

People with Wilson's disease, children less than one year old, and individuals with liver disease cannot eliminate excess copper from their bodies as well and are more likely to experience negative health effects on the liver and kidney from short-term exposure to copper levels that exceed the EPA’s action level, continues the release.

Sampling Results:

9/27/16 Faucet (1) 0.0448 mg/L Lead

9/28/16 Faucet (2) 1.304 mg/L Copper

9/27/16 Faucet (3) 1.302 mg/L CopperFaucet 2 is used by the night custodial staff for cleaning and has been marked for hand washing only.

Faucet 3 is located within a teaching department and will be replaced.

The following summarizes steps that have been taken, per school officials:

1. We have removed from service the (1) tap with lead levels over the Action Level.

2. Faucet 2 has been re-labelled.

3. Faucet 3 will be replaced.

4. We have developed a sampling plan to conduct testing at outlets (faucets, water fountains, etc.) where students and staff get water for drinking, beverage preparation and cooking.

5. We are implementing a flushing and water usage plan to safeguard against lead and copper exposure from drinking water in the school at outlets that are found to be above the Action Levels for lead and copper.

6. Through periodic reports, we will keep you informed as to the progress of our efforts.

"These reports will serve to let you know what has been done and what is being done to safeguard against lead and copper exposure from drinking water at our school," said Wong in a statement.

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