School drinking water
Lead testing for school and child care drinking water
We inventory every outlet used for drinking or cooking, collect first-draw samples on the required schedule, and deliver results in the format your state agency expects.
What we do
Sampling programs, start to finish
- Outlet inventoryEvery fountain, bottle filler, kitchen and classroom sink used for drinking or cooking, mapped and given a permanent ID.
- Sampling planSchedule built around the required stagnation period, plus the Quality Assurance Project Plan New Jersey requires.
- First-draw sampling250 mL first-draw samples with labeling and chain of custody to a state-certified laboratory.
- Results and notificationOutlet-by-outlet results, exceedance lists, and draft notification letters for parents and staff.
- Flush samples and retestingFlush samples paired with each first-draw sample to tell whether lead comes from the fixture or the plumbing behind it, and retesting after repairs.
Requirements
Lead action levels compared
New York State
- Who
- Public school districts and BOCES, for every outlet used for drinking or cooking.
- How often
- Every three years, and when the Commissioner of Health requires.
- Sample
- 250 mL first-draw sample after 8 to 18 hours of stagnation.
- Action level
- 5 ppb. The outlet comes out of service until remediation and a passing retest.
New Jersey
- Who
- Public, charter and renaissance schools, among others covered by N.J.A.C. 6A:26-12.4.
- How often
- Every three years on the state cycle, and after outlet replacement or plumbing changes.
- Lab
- Analysis by a certified laboratory under a Quality Assurance Project Plan.
- Action level
- 15 ppb. Stop use immediately, notify parents, staff and NJDOE, and post the letter on the school website.
Sample types
First-draw and flush samples
Many sampling programs collect two samples at each outlet: a first draw and a flush sample. Depending on the applicable requirements and the sampling plan, the flush sample is collected in the same visit or as a follow-up. Comparing the two shows where the lead is coming from, so the fix goes to the right place.
- Sample
- First draw
- When
- The first water out of the outlet after 8 to 18 hours of no use, before anyone drinks from it or flushes it.
- Volume
- 250 mL
- Represents
- Water that sat in the fixture, valve and nearby fittings overnight.
- Purpose
- Required compliance sample in New York and New Jersey.
- Sample
- Flush
- When
- Collected right after the first-draw sample at the same outlet, once the water has run for about 30 seconds.
- Volume
- 250 mL
- Represents
- Water from the plumbing behind the wall, past the fixture.
- Purpose
- Shows lead contributed by the plumbing behind the fixture. It does not replace or cancel a high first-draw result.
| First draw | Flush | Likely source | Typical next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Above action level | Below action level | The fixture or its fittings | Replace the fountain, faucet or valve, then retest |
| Above action level | Above action level | Plumbing or service line behind the outlet | Investigate upstream piping before replacing fixtures |
| Below action level | Above action level | Plumbing behind the outlet | Investigate upstream piping and review flushing practices |
| Below action level | Below action level | No exceedance | Keep in service and retest on the regular cycle |
An outlet with a first-draw result at or above the action level stays out of service and must be reported even if its flush sample is below the action level. New Jersey states this explicitly in its school testing guidance.
Process
How a school sampling program runs
Inventory
We walk the building with facilities staff and tag every outlet in scope.
Stagnation
Water sits unused 8 to 18 hours before sampling, usually overnight or over a weekend.
Collection
First-draw samples before any use, logged by outlet ID with chain of custody.
Results
Lab results compared with the state action level, with exceedances flagged the day they arrive.
Retest
After fixtures or piping are replaced, affected outlets are resampled before returning to service.
FAQ
Common questions
Why first-draw samples?
Water that sits in a fixture overnight picks up the most lead. A first-draw sample shows the worst case a child could drink in the morning.
What is a flush sample for?
A flush sample is taken after running the outlet for about 30 seconds. Comparing it with the first-draw result shows whether the lead is coming from the fixture or from the plumbing behind it.
What if an outlet is over the action level?
It must be taken out of service right away and stay out until it is fixed and a retest passes. We provide the list and draft notices the same day.
Do child care programs need testing too?
Many do, depending on the state program and license type. Tell us your facility type and we will confirm which rule applies.
Next step
Testing cycle coming up?
Send the number of buildings and an estimate of outlets. We will quote the full program, including the plan and reporting.