You make a sampling appointment above. Within 30 days, BWSC’s contractor for the work (Kleinfelder) will meet with you at your facility to identify sampling locations (2 for daycares, 5 for schools). 

The night before the sampling, you will turn off the faucet and not use the water for at least 8 hours before sampling the next day. Kleinfelder will then meet at your facility and sample the water first thing the next morning (takes approximately 1 hour).  Kleinfelder will take the samples and deliver them to a state certified laboratory for analysis.

After sampling is complete, you can use your faucets.

Kleinfelder will provide you the testing results within 30 days.

Sampling will start in Spring 2025 and will continue for 5 years. However, BWSC intends to sample all facilities within 3 years.

Your facility will only need to be sampled once in the 5-year period. If lead is detected, repeat samples will be taken to confirm the results.

Someone needs to be available during sampling collection to open the facility and answer any questions. You do not need to be present during the sampling. 

Kleinfelder will take a “first draw” sample, which means they will take the sample immediately from the faucet without running the water first. 

Yes. Kleinfelder will send you a sampling kit with full instructions on how to collect the sample. Kleinfelder will then pick up the completed kit when you are done and deliver it to the state-certified laboratory for analysis. If you choose to collect the sample yourself, Kleinfelder will be available to answer any questions you may have during the sampling process to help avoid any sampling errors.

Yes. We understand this a huge inconvenience for those involved and we appreciate your cooperation. Kleinfelder will have signs available to place on the faucets telling people not to run the water until sampling is complete.

Because you can’t use the water at all in the facility until the sampling is completed, Kleinfelder will schedule early-morning appointments.

The regulations require the water to be stagnant (unused for 8 hours) but not more than 18 hours. This means we could collect the sample over the weekend or during break if it meets those requirements.

No. This is not a building or health inspection. We will ask questions about the water use and we will only walk through your facility to access the sampling locations.

No. We will only be sampling for lead.

We can discuss your concerns regarding the sampling. As part of the rule, we must request sampling every year. The Commission will notify the Boston Board of Health, MassDEP, and EPA of your refusal to be sampled.

 The Lead and Copper Rule is a federal law that requires all public water systems to confirm the water they deliver is lead-free. As part of this law, Boston Water and Sewer has developed a program to test the water in elementary schools and childcare facilities in Boston. Secondary schools are eligible for sampling upon request.  

Young children are more sensitive to lead, and even small amounts can cause serious health problems. Because children spend a lot of time in schools and daycare centers, they are at higher risk if there is lead in the plumbing. Old pipes and irregular water use can contribute to lead in the water, even if the water from the supplier is safe. Water that sits in lead plumbing fixtures for a long time is more likely to contain lead. Testing the water is the most effective way to determine if it contains lead.

No. This is a program required by the MassDEP and US EPA and conducted by BWSC and our consultant, Kleinfelder. We will only come to your facility to sample for lead if you make an appointment. Our field staff will be clearly identified with high-visibility vests and identification badges and will pass CORI/background checks. Please contact BWSC directly with any questions or concerns.

Testing is completely free for participating schools and childcare facilities. BWSC is paying for the sampling, testing and reporting.

Elementary schools and licensed childcare facilities serviced by BWSC are eligible to be tested. Secondary schools are eligible for sampling upon request.

Yes. The results will be mailed to you within 30 days of receiving the lab data. The results will include a letter, the full lab results, and contact information should you have any questions.

The results will also be provided to the Boston Board of Health, MassDEP and EPA.

If the detection meets standards (currently 0.015 mg/L or 15 parts per billion), then you will be notified, but no additional steps are required.

The individual faucet where the sample was collected should be taken out of service until follow-up sampling can be conducted by BWSC.

You will work with BWSC, MassDEP and EPA to develop a corrective action plan. This may involve leaving the faucet out of service; providing bottled water; replacing piping, faucets and/or fixtures; or installing a point-of-use (POU) device at the outlet or a treatment system for the facility.

BWSC is responsible for the first sampling and a second sampling to confirm any sampling locations that have exceeded the amount. You will then be responsible for any additional corrective actions or sampling.

The Commission will review its inventory and/or perform an inspection to determine the composition of your service. If the service is lead, then you may be eligible under the Commission’s Lead Replacement Incentive Program for replacement at little or no cost.

There is no lead in the water supplied by the MWRA and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (“Commission”). You can view the most recent Water Quality Report if you didn’t receive one in the mail.

Lead, however, can get into tap water through service piping, lead solder and some brass fixtures, particularly if water sits for a long time in the pipes before use.

Testing the water is the only way to know if there is lead in the water.

Lead is a common metal found in lead-based paint; air; soil; household dust; food; tap water; and certain types of pottery, porcelain, brass fixtures, and pewter. Lead can enter drinking water through plumbing materials that contain lead. Lead can also be found in brass and chrome-plated faucets, in the solder used to connect copper pipes, and in lead pipes that connect homes to the main water supply. When water sits in lead pipes or plumbing for several hours, lead can dissolve into the water. The first water you get from the tap in the morning or after being away for a while can have higher levels of lead. Lead in drinking water is not usually the main cause of lead poisoning, but it can add a lot to a person’s overall lead exposure. This is especially true for babies who drink formula or juice mixed with water that contains lead. The EPA states that drinking water can account for 20% or more of a person’s total lead exposure.

Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or nervous system problems.