School News

February 14, 2023


Dear Parents and Guardians,


We are writing to let you know that The Applewood Learning Center recently completed testing for lead
in drinking water. This is part of an ongoing effort related to New Hampshire’s House Bill 1421, which
requires school and child care facilities to test for lead in drinking water and to act when lead is found at
levels at or above 5 parts per billion (ppb).


Lead is a toxic heavy metal that has a range of adverse health effects if inhaled or swallowed. Lead rarely
occurs naturally in New Hampshire’s drinking water sources (groundwater or surface water) and
typically enters drinking water due to the wearing away of piping, faucets, fixtures and other plumbing
materials.


Because lead is tasteless, odorless and colorless in drinking water, testing is the only way to learn
whether lead is present. It is important to sample each faucet or water fountain that is used for drinking
or food prep because test results can vary between locations.


During recent testing, we collected samples from 10 drinking water outlets (e.g., drinking fountains,
classroom faucets, kitchen sinks), with 1 sample testing at or above 5 ppb, the level where action must
be taken. We are still waiting for the results for 2 of the 10 outlets. If those are determined to be
faulty, you will be notified when we get those results.


We have removed access to these outlets until the problem can be corrected. The table below shows
the outlet that must be remediated and our plan to do so. All other outlets tested below 5 ppb, the
level where action must be taken. Fortunately, this is not an outlet that is used for filling water bottles
and hasn’t been used for drinking water.

All sample results and additional resources from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental
Services (NHDES) can be viewed at gettheleadoutnh.org.


Sincerely,

Libby Brunette, Director