Template for Copper Results over the Action Level
(NOTE: This is a sample letter to students, families, and staff from a
school or early education or child care facility with laboratory results
that exceed the Action Level for copper in drinking water. Delete or
replace all items in red including this paragraph and add your school
letterhead here.)
(Insert date)
To the Students, Families, and Staff of (insert school/early education or
child care facility name):
During recent sampling for lead and copper, some water taps at our school
had copper levels that exceed the Massachusetts and federal Action Level for
copper in drinking water at schools and early education and child care
facilities. See sample results below. The Action Level for copper in drinking
water is 1.3 milligrams per liter (also known as parts per million).
We would like to inform you about our plans to reduce potential exposure to
copper in drinking water at our school. Copper is not believed to be in our
water source but plumbing and fixtures in our buildings may contain copper,
resulting in an increase in the copper content in tap water.

Date Sample
Collected

Sampling Results
Location

Copper results in
mg/L

Copper is a necessary micronutrient and is needed in small “trace” amounts
for good health but too much copper in the diet or in drinking water may
cause adverse health effects. Some people who consume drinking water with
copper in excess of the EPA action level may experience nausea, vomiting,
diarrhea, and stomach cramps. However, most people are unlikely to
experience health problems from exposure to modestly elevated copper
levels in drinking water because the human body has a natural mechanism
for maintaining the proper level of copper in it. People with Wilson's disease,
children less than one year old, and individuals with liver disease cannot
eliminate excess copper from their bodies as well and are more likely to
experience negative health effects on the liver and kidney from short-term
exposure to copper levels that exceed the EPA’s action level. See the
MassDEP Fact Sheet on copper and your health at
http://www.mass.gov/eea/docs/dep/water/drinking/alpha/a-thruh/copperfs.pdf

 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
copper 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 others and taking actions as follows:
Only include applicable items
What we are doing:
1. While exceeding the Action Level does not require provision of
alternative drinking water sources, beginning XXXX we will be /are
providing bottled water and will be shutting down all bubblers.
2. We have removed from service all taps with copper levels over the
Action Level.
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 preparation and cooking.
5. We are implementing a flushing and water usage plan to safeguard
against copper exposure from drinking water in the school at outlets
that are found to be above the Action Level for copper. This includes
the daily flushing of water fountains and/or faucets at sinks and the
limitation of water consumption to cold-water faucets for food and
beverage preparation.
6. We will undertake efforts to determine the cause of this copper Action
Level exceedance and evaluate the adequacy of our existing corrosion
control 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 copper
exposure from drinking water at our school(s)/child care facility (ies).
8. Optional information can be included that announces an information
display at the school on Copper in Drinking Water at Schools and/or
an announcement about a workshop that will provide further
information and will provide an opportunity for Q&A.

A Reminder: The water system at the school is not unlike water systems found in other
buildings. Older plumbing systems and fixtures, especially, can contain lead pipes or solder that
can allow lead to enter tap water. Plumbing systems also contain copper. If you have questions
about lead or copper in your home’s 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

at

.

Sincerely,
(Insert signature and title)
Modified from EPA’s "3T's for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools:
Revised Technical Guidance