EPA's Communication Guidelines with Parents About Testing Drinking Water in Schools

As part of its agreement with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the JC school district has to provide full and clear information to parents about testing drinking water in schools. This communication is based on EPA’s guideline of “3Ts” (Training, Testing, and Telling).

The following communication ideas are listed in EPA’s booklet, 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools.

• The results and the plans for correcting any identified problems will be immediately communicated to parents and the community.

• Parents will be notified how they can obtain detailed information about each school.

• When corrective plans are being implemented, regular progress report will be available to parents and the community.

• If lead is identified in any school, parents, particularly parents of children age 6 or younger, will be directed to seek blood-lead level testing.

• Parents will be notified about the dangers of lead exposure.

• Parents will be assisted to increase awareness about lead exposure.

• One person will be designated to contact parents and be available to answer questions or address concerns expressed by parents.

• This information will be posted on the district’s website, communicated to parents through letters, and through media both in Spanish and English.