There are no federal regulations that require testing of drinking water in schools and childcare facilities, except for those that are their own public water systems and therefore are subject to comply with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR). According to EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements community water systems are required to conduct public education and lead monitoring at schools and child care facilities they serve meeting lead risk criteria. Those that are eligible to be sampled for lead according to these criteria can request assistance from their community water system. All Public school and licensed child care facility in Oklahoma are eligible to participate in Oklahoma DEQ’s free Lead Testing Program.

Generally facilities should not flush lines before a sampling event, however there are some circumstance when flushing may be appropriate such as after holidays, winter and summer vacation, or the weekend. Flushing before a sampling event can be used to ensure that the most accurate representation of typical water use is recorded. Water that is siting in plumbing for too long can give inaccurate results. Consult with your sampling representative to create a plan before a sampling event. Further information is located under the “Enrolled Facility Resources” tab on the LWSC main page.

Samples for 3Ts should be collected at locations used for drinking water or consumption. This includes drinking fountains, kitchen and classroom sinks, sinks used to fill coffee pots or for cooking and washing dishes, and ice machines. Non-potable sites such as mop bucket sinks, utility sinks, outdoor hoses, or eye wash stations are not typically sampled. If there is potential that these sites may be used (e.g., the outdoor hoses are used to fill water jugs for sports activities), use clear signage to notify people that the faucet should not be used for drinking or cooking, or include the fixture in your sampling plan. Oklahoma DEQ will sample all appropriate sites at your location as determined during the initial inventory with your sampling representative.

An Oklahoma DEQ representative will handle your outlet inventory, all sample collections, and will report results to you once they are received. Once you have been contacted by a representative it is your responsibility to schedule an appropriate time to complete the initial inventory and all subsequent sampling events (some facilities may require addition sampling based on initial test results).

Sampling events will be conducted early in the morning before staff and students arrive. Be sure to avoid using any plumbing in the building before an event. Typically sampling events will not be conducted after holidays, breaks, or weekends. However, if your sampling event does fall on a day after one of these occasions you may be asked to conduct flushing before the event.

How frequently your facility can and should test for lead in drinking water depends on a variety of factors (e.g., plumbing, water quality, lead results, budget, and competing priorities). 3Ts does not recommend a set frequency for sampling schools and child care facilities, but does note that annual monitoring provides information regarding changes in the lead levels and the effectiveness of remediation or treatment efforts as well as timely notice of lead levels that need to be addressed.

Regardless of the frequency set by your facility, EPA recommends that the sampling frequency be documented, and that schools and child care facilities make testing drinking water a part of their regular building operations.