Many Vermont schools and childcare facilities are in older buildings, which means they are more likely to have lead in their plumbing. Because there is no safe level of lead in the body, and young children absorb lead into their systems more easily than adults do, it's important to ensure lead levels in drinking water are as low as possible. Fixing a lead in drinking water problem is often easy and low cost. Solutions can include replacing plumbing fixtures, removing redundant or seldom-used fixtures, and encouraging the use of centrally located, well-maintained bottle fill stations.
Pilot Project
First Round of Testing
Building on the pilot project, Act 66, passed in 2019, requires all Vermont school districts, supervisory unions, independent schools and child care providers to test their drinking and cooking water for lead. If lead is found in an amount at or above the action level of 4 parts per billion (ppb), the school or child care provider must immediately take the fixture out of service and take corrective action to eliminate or reduce the amount of lead to below the action level.
The first round of testing was completed on December 31, 2021. Ongoing testing is required. Taps at schools and child care facilities will need to be tested again in three years according to the schedule in the rule.
how the lead testing process works
Lead Testing in Drinking Water in Schools — Information for Parents, Guardians and Staff
Lead Testing in Drinking Water in Child Care Settings — Information for Parents, Guardians and Staff