Recent Lead Testing at KHS
We are writing to let you know that Kennett High School recently completed testing for lead in drinking water. This is part of an ongoing effort related to New Hampshire’s House Bill 1421, which requires school and child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water and to act when lead is found at levels at or above 5 parts per billion (ppb).
Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has a range of adverse health effects if inhaled or swallowed. Lead rarely occurs naturally in New Hampshire’s drinking water sources (groundwater or surface water) and typically enters drinking water due to the wearing away of piping, faucets, fixtures and other plumbing materials.
Because lead is tasteless, odorless and colorless in drinking water, testing is the only way to learn if lead is present. It is important to sample each faucet or water fountain that is used for drinking or food prep because test results can vary between locations.
During recent testing, we collected samples from 73 drinking water outlets (e.g., drinking fountains, classroom faucets, kitchen sinks). Initially 9 failed with levels above 5.0 ppb. We flushed all locations, replaced faucets where necessary and closed one permanently. We are pleased to let you know that when retested, none of the results showed lead levels at or above 5 ppb, the level where action must be taken.
Some best practices to keep lead levels low include:
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“Flushing” water, when possible, to allow drinking water that has been stagnant to move through the pipes.
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Using cold water for drinking and cooking. Hot water may increase the amount of lead transferred from the pipes or faucet, and boiling water does not remove lead.
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Discouraging drinking water from fixtures not intended for potable use (e.g., lab faucets, hoses, spigots, hand washing sinks).
The table below shows a list of the tested outlets that failed, their locations, sample results and our planned remediation.
|
Outlet Number
|
Location
|
Sample Result (ppb)
|
Planned Remediation
|
|
20345-42
|
Boys Locker Room #B171 Shower #1
|
79.5
|
Showers were not in use, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-51
|
PE Mens Office Room #B170
|
23.3
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-55
|
Girls Locker Room #B163
|
156
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-63
|
PE Sink Room #162
|
19.6
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-64
|
PE Shower Room #B162
|
31.9
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-65
|
Eye Wash Station #1, Room B139
|
20.3
|
Never used, closed permanently
|
|
20345-66
|
Eye Wash Station #2, Room B139
|
26.5
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-67
|
Hand Wash Only Sink, Station #3, Room B139
|
9.81
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
|
20345-69
|
Hand Wash Only Sink, Station #5 Room B139
|
32.4
|
Not being used frequently, replace associated plumbing and fixtures
|
All sample results and additional resources from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) can be viewed at gettheleadoutnh.org.