Granby Public Schools

Office of the Superintendent

Dr. Judith Houle
Interim Superintendent of Schools
February 9, 2016
To the Students, Families, and Staff of the Granby Jr. and Sr. High School and East Meadow Schools
Based on the last round of sampling 5 of 20 water taps at our schools had lead levels that exceeded the Massachusetts
and federal action level for lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. See sample results below. The
Massachusetts Action Level for lead in drinking water is 0.015 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million).
We would like to inform you about our plans to reduce potential exposure to lead in drinking water at our school.
Lead is not believed to be in our water source but plumbing and fixtures in our buildings may contain lead, resulting in
an increase in the lead content in tap water. Exposure to lead is a concern because lead is a toxic metal that has a
range of adverse health effects.
The administration takes these results very seriously and is moving immediately to safeguard the health of the
students, faculty and staff. The following information describes steps we are taking to address the issue of lead in the
water.
To safeguard our students and other sensitive individuals (including woman who are pregnant or nursing), our school
is working closely and cooperatively with MassDEP and taking actions as follows:
What we are doing:
1. We have removed from service all water outlets which had lead levels over the action level, except the High
School Kitchen Sink, which is being flushed out on a daily basis.
2. We are implementing a flushing and water usage plan to safeguard against lead exposure from drinking water
at the non-bubbler tap that was found to be above the MassDEP action level for lead. This includes the daily
flushing of that tap and the limitation of water consumption to cold-water faucets for food and beverage
preparation at the High School Kitchen Sink. We are also implementing a flushing and water usage plan in
both schools, including the daily flushing of all water fountains and/or faucets at sinks.
3. We are implementing a public information process that will include distribution of outreach material to all
students, parents, teachers, staff and local officials.
4. We have developed a sampling plan to conduct testing at outlets (faucets, water fountains, etc.) where
students and staff get water for drinking, beverage prep and cooking.
5. We are monitoring the pH of our water daily and conducting weekly sampling of our schools for lead and
reporting to MassDEP until levels are below the action level.
6. We will undertake efforts to evaluate the adequacy of our existing corrosion control, lead treatment
system. We will develop and put into place a corrective action plan as quickly as possible following
additional testing and consultation.
7. Through periodic reports, we will keep you informed as to the progress of our efforts. These reports will
serve to let you know what has been done and what is being done to safeguard against lead exposure from
drinking water at our school.
8. We will provide additional information relative to the lead in drinking water including educational
materials relative to lead in drinking water.

387 East State Street Granby, Massachusetts 01033 - 9560

(413) 467-7193 Fax (413) 467-3909
e-mail, superintendent@granbyschoolsma.net
The Granby Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or disability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

We also want to share all of the sample results with you the results from our fall 2015 sampling, those results are
below:
Granby Jr. Sr. High School & East Meadow Schools lead sample locations and results
Lead - Action Level 0.015 mg/L
Location Name
10/1/2015
Jr/Sr/ High School
HS Gym - West Bubbler
0.014
HS Gym - East Bubbler
0.011
Room223W Bubbler
0.097
HS Kitchen Sink
0.017
HS Kitchen N
0.015
HS Kitchen S
HS North Bubbler
0.0056
HS Cafeteria
0.041
223 South Bubbler
0.029
HS East - Library Bubbler
0.0099
HS East 2nd floor
0.0025
East Meadow School
EM Teachers Room
0.0023
EM Kitchen - W
0.0045
EM Kitchen - Lav.
0.0017
EM Cafeteria - N
0.0062
EM SE Bubbler
0.0035
EM S. Central Bubbler
0.0026
EM E. Bubbler
0.0016
EM Room 10
0.033
EM North Bubbler
0.002
EM West Bubbler
0.0018
A Reminder: The water system at the school is not unlike water systems found in other buildings. Plumbing systems
and fixtures, especially, can contain brass fixtures, lead pipes or solder that can allow lead to enter tap water. If you
have questions about lead in your homes water supply, and are using a private well, you can have your water tested.
If you are receiving water from a public water system (i.e., if you pay a water bill) you can call your local water
department for information or check the Consumer Confidence Report sent out by the public water supplier annually.
If you have any questions on this information please contact me at 413.467.7193 or by email at
superintendent@granbyschoolsma.net.
Sincerely,

Dr. Judith C. Houle, Interim Superintendent of Schools

387 East State Street Granby, Massachusetts 01033 - 9560

(413) 467-7193 Fax (413) 467-3909
e-mail, superintendent@granbyschoolsma.net
The Granby Public Schools do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender
identity, or disability in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.