1. Preliminary Assessment:

• Compile Inventory: Create a comprehensive inventory of all water outlets in schools across the district used for cooking or drinking, including faucets, drinking fountains, and kitchen taps.
• Prioritize Areas: Prioritize testing in areas where students and staff frequent the most, such as cafeterias, kitchens, and classrooms.

2. Stakeholder Communication:

• Public Notification: Inform parents, guardians, teachers, and staff about the lead testing initiative through emails and district website..
• Educational Outreach: Provide educational materials explaining the importance of lead testing, potential health risks, and the district's commitment to ensuring safe drinking water.

3. Resource Procurement:

• Lead Testing Kits: Procure sufficient lead testing kits designed for schools, ensuring they are user-friendly and suitable for various water outlets.
• Training: Provide training sessions for designated staff members on how to correctly use the testing kits and follow sampling protocols.
• Service: Procure services from local approved lead testing organizations.

4. Sampling Protocol:

• Guidelines: Develop clear instructions for sample collection, including recommended flushing procedures and timing for sample collection.
• Labeling: Emphasize proper labeling of each sample container with information such as location, date, and time of collection.

5. Sample Collection:

• Scheduled Sampling Days: Designate specific days for sample collection across all schools within the district to ensure a systematic approach.
• Coordination: Collaborate with school administrators and maintenance staff to facilitate smooth sample collection.

6. Laboratory Testing:

• Selection of Accredited Labs: Partner with certified laboratories approved by the state of Missouri to test water for traces of lead.
• Testing Procedures: Ensure the selected laboratory uses approved methods such as those required by the state department. 

7. Results and Communication:

• Individual Reports: Communicate the lead levels for each tested water outlet to the respective school administrators.
• Threshold Identification: Set a threshold for lead levels in line with relevant regulations, identifying outlets that exceed safe limits (5 PPB).
• Community Notification: Transparently share non-confidential results with the entire Hollister R-V School District community through emails and  the district website.

8. Mitigation and Action:

• Temporary Measures: Immediately shut off or mark outlets that exceed safe lead levels to prevent their use.
• Infrastructure Evaluation: Collaborate with local water authorities to assess and address potential sources of lead contamination in the water supply infrastructure. Mitigate and mediate as recommended by state approved organizations.

9. Follow-Up Testing and Monitoring:

• Regular Follow-Up: Schedule follow-up testing at regular intervals, especially in areas where elevated lead levels were identified initially.
• Documentation: Maintain a record of testing results, actions taken, and any follow-up activities for future reference.

10. Public Awareness and Education:

• Continuous Outreach: Continue educating students, staff, and parents about lead exposure risks, preventive measures, and the ongoing testing efforts.
• Community Engagement: Establish a channel for community feedback and questions, fostering open communication.

By implementing this comprehensive plan, the Hollister R-V School District can systematically test and monitor all water outlets used for cooking or drinking, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for everyone within the educational community. Regular communication and transparency are essential to building trust and keeping stakeholders informed throughout the testing process.

1. Source of Exposure:

• Lead Pipes and Plumbing: In older homes and some public water supply systems, lead pipes or plumbing fixtures with lead solder may be present, contributing to lead leaching into drinking water.
• Corrosion: Corrosion of plumbing materials can increase lead levels in water.
• Water Mains: Lead service lines connecting homes to water mains can also be a source of lead contamination.

2. Health Effects:

• Children:
  • Neurological Effects: Even low levels of lead exposure can cause lasting neurological damage in children, leading to learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
  • Developmental Delays: Lead exposure can impact physical and mental development in young children.
  • Lower IQ: Prolonged exposure to lead in early childhood has been linked to a reduction in IQ.
• Pregnant Women:
  • Fetal Development: Lead exposure during pregnancy can harm fetal development, leading to low birth weight and developmental delays.
  • Premature Births: Increased risk of premature births has been associated with lead exposure.
• Adults:
  • Cardiovascular Effects: Elevated lead levels have been linked to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.
  • Reproductive Issues: Both men and women may experience fertility problems due to lead exposure.
  • Neurological Effects: Cognitive decline, memory problems, and mood disorders can result from long-term exposure.

3. Prevention and Protection:

• Regular Testing: Regularly test drinking water for lead, especially in homes with older plumbing or in areas where there is a known risk of lead contamination.
• Water Filters: Use water filters certified to remove lead for both drinking and cooking purposes.
• Flush Pipes: If water has been sitting in pipes for several hours, run the tap for a few minutes before using it for drinking or cooking to reduce lead levels.
• Replace Lead Pipes: Consider replacing lead pipes and plumbing fixtures in older homes with lead-free alternatives.
• Awareness and Education: Educate residents about the risks of lead exposure through drinking water and provide guidance on preventive measures.

4. Seeking Medical Attention:

• Blood Lead Testing: If there is a concern about lead exposure, especially for children and pregnant women, healthcare professionals may recommend blood lead testing to assess the level of lead in the body.
• Consultation: Consult a healthcare professional if you suspect exposure to lead, especially if you experience symptoms such as abdominal pain, headaches, or cognitive issues.

5. Public Resources:

• Local Water Authorities: Contact local water authorities to obtain information on water quality reports, lead testing programs, and measures being taken to address lead in drinking water.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA provides guidelines and regulations related to lead in drinking water.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC offers resources and recommendations on preventing lead exposure through drinking water.

6. Community Action:

• Advocacy: Encourage community leaders and policymakers to address and remediate lead issues in public water supplies.
• Community Education: Foster community awareness through workshops, seminars, and information campaigns about the risks of lead exposure and ways to protect against it.

Preventing lead exposure from drinking water involves a combination of individual actions, community efforts, and collaboration with public health authorities. Regular monitoring, proactive measures, and public education are essential in mitigating the health effects of lead exposure in drinking water.

• Kitchen hand wash sink has been permanently removed.

• Room 212 - NSF/ANSI 43 & 52 approved water filter installed - 4 ppb.
• Kitchen - NSF/ANSI 43 & 52 approved water filter installed at all 3 water outlets - 1.27ppb/3.6ppb/2.02ppb.
   

• Kitchen - NSF/ANSI 43 & 52 approved water filter installed at both water outlets - 2.41ppb/3.34ppb.

• 54 water outlets tested
• Two faucets in kitchen concentration level 7.46 ppb/ 5.2 ppb (hand wash sink and dish sink - signs being installed stating non-drinking/cooking)

• 46 water outlets tested
• None tested above the state action level

• 23 water outlets tested
• RM 128 (not student occupied) ice maker concentration level 7.73 ppb  (unhooked ice maker)
• RM 212 (not student occupied) Sink concentration level 6.81 ppb (unhooked sink)
• Three faucets in kitchen concentration level 11.8 ppb/10.1ppb/10/1ppb (Two dishwasher sinks and one hand wash sink - signs being installed stating non-drinking/cooking)

• 38 water outlets tested
• One faucet in the kitchen concentration level of 11.1 ppb (Hand Wash Sink - signs being installed stating non-drinking/cooking)

• 29 water outlets tested
• None tested above the state action level