Parkway School Water Updates

Parkway School is the only facility within the Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) that is not on the Town’s water supply system, but instead relies on a Small Community Water System (i.e., well), recognized by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, to supply drinking water to the facility. The GPS facility staff, along with our contracted certified public water system operator and systems monitoring firms, monitor and maintain the quality of the water supplied to the school. The GPS Facilities Department is committed to providing the Parkway community with up to date reports on Parkway well water testing and other communications with the State. For your convenience, results of lead tap water monitoring, an explanation of the health effects of lead, steps consumers can take reduce exposure to lead in drinking water and contact information for the Greenwich Public Schools is included within the Reports section.

GPS Communications with Community

GPS Communications with CT Department of Public Health (DPH)

Analysis Reports and Certifications of Compliance

Consumer Notice of Lead Tap Water Results

What Does This Mean?

Under the authority of the Safe Drinking Water Act, EPA set the action level for lead in drinking water at 0.015 milligrams of lead per liter of water (mg/L). This means utilities must ensure that water from the customer’s tap does not exceed this level in at least 90 percent of the sites sampled. The action level is the concentration of the contaminant, which if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow to correct the problem. Because lead may pose serious health risks, the EPA set a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG) of zero for lead. The MCLG is the level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

What Are The Health Effects of Lead?

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

What Are Some Sources of Lead?

Although the primary sources of lead exposure for most children are deteriorating lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust, and lead-contaminated soil, the U.S. EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of human exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Exposure to lead is a significant health concern, especially for young children and infants whose growing bodies tend to absorb more lead than the average adult. Although our facility's lead levels were below the action level, if you are concerned about lead exposure in your home, parents should ask their health care providers about testing children to determine levels of lead in their blood.

What Can I Do To Reduce Exposure to Lead in Drinking Water?

• Run the Water To Flush Out Lead. Run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.
• Use Cold Water for Cooking and Preparing Baby Formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily in hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.
• Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.
• Look for alternative sources of water.

For More Information

Call the Greenwich Public Schools Facilities Department at 203-625-7450. For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home and the health effects of lead, visit EPA's Web site at www.epa.gov/lead, call the National Lead Information Center at 800-424-LEAD, or contact your health care provider.