Flushing and Sampling for Lead in Drinking Water in Schools. October 2017

Transcription

1 Flushing and Sampling for Lead in Drinking Water in Schools October 2017

2 Introduction Public schools, private schools and child care centres are expected to flush plumbing and test drinking water for lead annually The rules for flushing and sampling water are prescribed by the Safe Water Drinking Act, 2002 and Ontario Regulation 243/07 (new amendments to this Regulation came into effect July 1, 2017) In September 2017, the MOECC published the results of 2016 lead samples in schools and child care centres

3 What is lead? Lead is a naturally occurring substance in our soil, food and air. While lead can leach into drinking water from lead services lines and plumbing, the bulk of human exposure is from other sources.* *York Region Public Health, Facts about Lead, June 2014

4 How are people exposed to lead? York Region Public Health, Facts About Lead, June 2014 Source of Exposure Air Drinking Water Dust/Dirt Percentage About 3 per cent About 30 per cent About 15 per cent for children Food About 52 per cent for adults

5 Examples of lead exposure Air Industrial discharges Drinking Water Leaching of lead from lead service pipes, brass fixtures, etc. Food Trace amounts Soil Contaminated areas may have lead Consumer products Jewellery, art supplies, ceramic glazes, toys, electronics, batteries

6 History of lead in plumbing Lead pipe was widely used before mid-1950 s. Lead solder was used in pipes until 1989.

7 How does lead get into drinking water? Various factors contribute to lead levels in drinking water: Pipes connected from the main Corrosion of older fixtures or solder (water ph, temperature) Length of time water sits in lead pipes Lead bearing parts (e.g. lead solder, brass fittings) Lead compounds can also leach from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes

8 Regulation 243/07 Background Ontario Safe Drinking Water Act, 2002 In 2007, the City of London, Ontario reported high levels of lead in homes MOECC ordered municipalities to test for lead in the water

9 Regulation 243/07, before July 1, 2017 In 2007, MOECC enacted Regulation 243/07 (Schools, Private Schools and Day Nurseries) Purpose of the Regulation: To reduce children s exposure to lead in drinking water

10 Requirements - Regulation 243/07, before July 1, Flushing Frequency: Weekly or daily a. Must be completed in the morning prior to arrival of students (Head Custodian) b. Flush designated cold water taps for at least five minutes (End of Line Taps) c. Flush all other taps and drinking fountains for 10 seconds 2. Annual Sampling One tap is sampled between May 1 - Oct 31

11 Flushing Requirements, before July 1, 2017 Daily Flushing Weekly Flushing Lead test results in past 2 yrs were above standard, OR Any part of plumbing installed before January 1, 1990, OR Samples from a least 2 yrs were below the standard, OR All plumbing installed after 1990 Required by the Ministry of Environment

12 Sampling Requirements, before July 1, 2017 All schools and child care centres must sample one tap annually Sampling Window May 1 to October 31 (YCDSB samples in summer months) Results must comply with the standard prescribed by Schedule 2 to Ontario Regulation 169/03 (Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards) 10 µg/l

13 Sampling Protocol, before July 1, rd party consultant hired by YCDSB Sampling completed during summer months Water must be stagnant/unused for at least 6 hours Two one-litre samples taken First sample called the Standing Sample Turn on cold water and flush for 5 minutes Wait 30 minutes (no water use) Take second sample called the Flushed Sample

14 Standing Sample Exceedance, before July 1, 2017 Standing Sample Exceedance (>10 µg/l) Call to report exceedance to York Region Public Health immediately Complete Notice of Lead Exceedance Test Results Form and submit to: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Ministry of Education York Region Public Health Provide copy to co-located facility (e.g. child care)

15 Flushed Sample Exceedance, before July 1, 2017 Flushed Sample Exceedance (>10 µg/l) Immediately call to report exceedance to York Region Public Health Drinking water advisory issued by York Region Public Health YCDSB provided bottled water Bag/turn off all drinking water sources Signs posted indicating that water cannot be used for drinking or food preparation Post drinking water advisory at all entrances of the school building Communication to Head Custodian Communication to Co-Located Facility Communication to parents if students are present during drinking water advisory

16 Flushed Sample Exceedance, before July 1, cont d Complete Notice of Lead Exceedance Test Results Form and submit to: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Ministry of Education York Region Public Health Provide copy to co-located facility (e.g. child care) Increase flush time at faucet Consultant will re-sample the same faucet If results are <10 µg/l, wait 7 days and re-sample Must have 2 consecutive samples with the flushed sample results less than 10 µg/l

17 Amendments to Regulation 243/07 Effective July 1, 2017, MOECC amended Regulation 243/07: Updates to sampling, filter and flushing requirements Changes to legislation covers: Mandating sampling of drinking water fountains The use of NSF certified filters Standardize corrective actions

18 Changes to Sampling Requirements Sampling is now required for every drinking water fixture that has not yet been sampled (since 2007) Drinking Water Fixture: a drinking water fountain or faucet used to provide drinking water or to prepare food and/or drink for children Exception: fixtures, such as those found in change rooms, bathrooms and/or classrooms that are not used for drinking water or to prepare food/drink.

19 Sampling Timeline School Type Deadline Requirements Elementary & Child Care Centres January 1, 2020 At least 1/3 of drinking water fixtures must be sampled in each of 2017, 2018 and Secondary January 1, 2022 Any time before January 1, Once all drinking water fixtures have been sampled at least once, a school can go back to annual sampling or reduced sampling. All new drinking water fixtures installed must have a standing sample taken before use to confirm water meets drinking water quality standard for lead.

20 Drinking Water Fixtures - YCDSB Plant and Health & Safety staff reviewed faucet and fountain inventories in all schools across YCDSB Staff designated faucets to be used as drinking water fixtures. These include: All drinking water fountains All bottle filling stations (if applicable) Kindergarten classroom faucets Special education classroom faucets Staff room faucet Health room faucet Servery/kitchen faucets

21 Classroom Faucets All non-drinking water fixtures will have a Handwashing Only sign posted This is an indication that the faucet is not flushed or sampled Information provided to all school staff on significance of signs

22 Changes to Flushing Requirements Need to continue flushing the water daily or weekly Flushing is not required at certain fixtures if: Faucet is not accessible to children Most recent standing sample result was at or below 1 µg/l NSF certified filter is installed on the fixture and a verification sample result was at or below 1 µg/l (records must be maintained)

23 Corrective Actions Continue to report exceedances to: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Public Health Public Health continues to provide directives Standing Sample Exceedance: Daily flushing for specific fixture Fixture must be flushed daily for at least 24 months Flushed Sample Exceedance: Flush daily for at least 24 months Render fixture inaccessible Remain out of service until issue resolved

24 Corrective Actions - Recommendation Four general corrective actions for resolving flushed exceedances: 1. Increase flushing and re-sample 2. Installation of NSF certified filters 3. Fixture replacement 4. Permanently render fixture unusable

25 Recordkeeping Head custodian at the school is responsible for keeping all records related to Regulation 243/07

26 Summary of Actions YCDSB: follows the requirements prescribed in Regulation 243/07 follows all directives from York Region Public Health participates in audits conducted by MOECC

27 Summary of Actions Actions taken in the event of exceedances include: Increasing flushing time Increase flushing frequency (daily vs. weekly) Replacement of fixtures Installation of automatic flushing at: St. Edward Fr. John Kelly St. Justin Martyr St. Catherine of Siena St. Margaret Mary St. John XXIII St. Francis Xavier St. Charles Garnier Christ the King St. Benedict St. David St. Matthew St. Joseph, Richmond Hill

28 Next Steps Going forward a section of the board website will be dedicated to Safe Drinking Water School Results. Website will include: details on Regulation 243/07 individual school results and supporting documents (lead summaries) resources for parents to access additional information Schools with flushed exceedances will receive communication,only as directed by York Region Public Health

29 Providing Safe Drinking Water in YCDSB Schools We will continue to ensure schools flush the water regularly (daily or weekly) to comply with all provincial regulations We are committed to providing safe drinking water for students and staff

30 Further Information and Resources A guide for schools, private schools and child care centres on flushing and testing for lead can be found on the Province of Ontario website: ection-3