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January 2024

To the Students, Families, and Staff of Worcester Alternative School,

Samples were collected from taps and fixtures used for drinking, cooking, and medical uses during recent lead and copper water sampling.   Samples were taken at each tap or fixture for both a first draw sample with the water standing in the tap overnight as well as a flushed sample after the tap was run. See information on sample collection procedures for school samples.

We are pleased to report that all samples taken from the taps and fixtures contain no measurable lead concentrations and are below the Massachusetts Action Levels for copper in drinking water.

In accordance with the USEPA’s Revised 3Ts Manual, MassDEP’s Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA) program recommends that schools and early education and care programs evaluate and remediate all taps/fixtures used for drinking, food preparation or medical uses with lead results above the Massachusetts certified laboratory detection limit of 1ppb (0.001 milligrams per liter (mg/L)) until the lowest possible concentration of lead is achieved. The Massachusetts Action Level for copper in drinking water is 1.3 mg/L (also known as parts per million).

For MassDEP information on lead and copper in drinking water see:

• Lead information

• Copper information

• Massachusetts Department of Public Health information on Lead and Copper

Sources and Sampling of Lead and Copper in Drinking Water

In Massachusetts, most drinking water sources from reservoirs and groundwater do not contain elevated levels of lead or copper. Lead enters drinking water primarily by leaching from plumbing that contains lead, such as a lead service line (all known lines containing lead have been removed) that connects a building to the water main in the street, or from plumbing and fixtures inside a building. Copper enters drinking water primarily by leaching from plumbing that contains copper.

Lead and copper leaching is most likely to occur when the water is heated or is not moving, generally overnight or at other times when the water is not used for several hours. Therefore, MassDEP requires the fixtures to be sampled first thing in the morning after the water in the building has not been used overnight.

A Reminder from MassD.E.P.

The water system at the school is not unlike water systems found in other buildings. Older plumbing systems and fixtures, especially, can contain lead pipes or solder that can allow lead to enter tap water.

If you have any questions on this information, please contact the WPS Facilities Department at (508) 799-3151. 

Sincerely,

Rachel H. Monárrez, Ph.D.

Superintendent of Schools