Healthy Schools: Lead in Water Information

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Home > Services > Facility Services > Healthy Schools > Lead in Water Information

MESD performed extensive lead in water testing the summer of 2016. All water sources with elevated lead levels were replaced, shut off, or had "Handwashing Only Signs" posted. MESD tests pre-1978 school kitchen faucets, drinking fountains, and childcare facilities annually.

MESD follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s 3T guidelines for water quality monitoring and mitigation.

For questions about health impacts of lead and testing please call or email the Multnomah County Health Authority Lead Line at (503) 988.4000 or leadline@multco.us.  You may also visit the Multnomah County website on lead poisoning and prevention at https://multco.us/health/lead-poisoning-prevention

FAQs (updated 4/6/2018)

Q1.  Who regulates and provides guidelines for lead in drinking water?
The Environmental Protection Agency and Oregon Health Authority regulate lead levels in drinking water. The Oregon Health Authority and Oregon Department of Education released a reference guide on June 9, 2016 for schools and drinking water (PDF). 

Q2.  Where can I get information about health impacts from lead?
The Multnomah County Health Department is the recognized authority with the expertise in preventing and addressing health impacts from lead.  The health department website https://multco.us/health/lead-poisoning-prevention provides excellent information and answers about lead information and referral. They have also provided a hotline for questions 503.988.4000 or email leadline@multco.us

Q3. If I'm concerned about my potential exposure to lead, where can I go to be tested?
You may visit the Multnomah County Health department website at https://multco.us/health/lead-poisoning-prevention/getting-your-child-tested-lead or call or email the Lead Line at (503) 988.4000 or email leadline@multco.us for information about testing clinics in the area. You may also contact your primary care provider.

Q4.  Does it matter how old a home or building is?
The Multnomah County Health Department’s lead poisoning prevention webpage explains that common sources of lead include:

• Lead solder, which may have been used to join your plumbing (common in homes between 1970 and 1985).
• Older (before 2014) brass or chrome-plated brass faucets and fixtures. As of 2014, all brass plumbing fittings must be no more than .25 percent lead. 
  

Q5.   When were MESD buildings built?
Our leased buildings (Wheatley, Helensview, Knott Creek and Wynne Watts) were all built before 1985. 

• Helensview (aka Sumner School): Built 1954
• Wheatley (aka Thompson School): Built 1956
• Knott Creek (aka Knott School): Built 1954
• Wynne Watts: Built 1932
  

Our owned buildings (Arata Creek, Burlingame Creek, and Ainsworth) were built after 1985.

• Ainsworth: Built 1989
• Arata Creek: Built 2001
• Burlingame Creek (aka Alpha School): Built 2000
  

Q6.  What will MESD do if test results show elevated levels of lead in drinking water?
MESD will follow EPA guidelines to stop access until mitigation is complete and lead levels test below the action level of 20 parts per billion. 

Q7.  Can we use the Brita Water Filtration systems?
Yes, the Brita water bottle filtration stations are EPA and NSF International compliant drinking water compliant fixtures and will remain available for use at those buildings.

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