The Water Quality Control Division (Division) implemented the “Safe Water In Schools Act” for the period of July 2017 through June 2020 with legislative funding from HB17-1306 which helped schools with the cost of lead testing through grant funding. Lead testing in schools is especially important because of the increased risk of delays in physical and mental development, lower IQ levels, and brain damage in young children who may be exposed to lead. Because of the length of time children spend in schools and the serious health risks associated with lead exposure, it is critical that schools, particularly elementary schools, know if lead is present in their drinking water.
Under the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations, Lead and Copper Rule (Regulation 11), regulated water suppliers are required to sample lead at designated sites which are typically single- or multi-family homes. A relatively small number of schools (42) are regulated as a public water system so they already test for lead in their facilities. These schools did not participate in the grant program. Similarly, some schools already tested for lead using the 1991 federal Lead and Copper Rule standards. Approximately 1,450 schools were eligible to participate in the legislative lead testing program.
During the state fiscal years of 2017-2020, 67 (41 Elementary and 26 non-Elementary) schools received funding for a total amount of $248,215. The program funding supported sampling 3,877 fixtures that were tested for lead concentrations in drinking water. The lead testing results were reported to be below the recommended action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) in 3,731 samples (96.2%). The lead testing results reported above the recommended action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) were 146 samples (3.8%). All testing results were provided to the local public health agency, the school’s water supplier, the school board, and the department as required by Section 25-1.5-203(1)(f)(IV), C.R.S. When samples exceeded the recommended action level of 15 ppb, grant recipients implemented corrective actions to reduce the lead exposure risk. These actions included replacing fixtures, taking fixtures out of service, shutting off valves, installing filters, or posting “Do Not Drink” signs.
The complete water quality test results are on the Water Quality Control Division’s historical state legislative lead testing program website.
This program helped reduce lead exposure from tap water in participating schools. The data suggested that most of the lead action level exceedances are a result of fixtures, for which corrective actions are relatively inexpensive. The division sought and received a multi-year $1,200,000 Environmental Protection Agency Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Grant to continue and expand testing at schools and daycare facilities. Funding will be provided to local public health departments and county governments to promote the program and facilitate testing in their local school districts. The EPA WIIN’s program is on hold due to COVID-19 closing down most schools while overwhelming local public health departments and local governments. The division is working with the EPA to extend the WIIN’s grant program and implement an effective strategy moving forward. This, along with the new lead and copper rule which requires water systems to test at schools, will continue to advance the goals of HB 17-1306.
