Water Sample Results
November 22, 2024
Cape May County Technical School District
Cape May County Technical High School
188 Crest Haven Road
Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
Dear Cape May County Technical High School Community,
Our school system is committed to protecting student, teacher, and staff health. To protect our community and in compliance with the Department of Education regulations, Cape May County Technical School District tested our schools’ drinking water for lead in November 2024.
In accordance with the Department of Education regulations, Cape May County Technical High School will implement immediate remedial measures for any drinking water outlet with a result greater than the US Environmental Protection Agency established action level of 15 µg/l (parts per billion [ppb]) for lead. This includes turning off the outlet unless it is determined the location must remain on for non-drinking purposes. In these cases, a “DO NOT DRINK – SAFE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY” sign will be posted.
Results of our Testing
Following instructions given in technical guidance developed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, we completed a plumbing profile for each of the buildings within Cape May County Technical School District. Through this effort, we identified and tested all drinking water and food preparation outlets. Of the forty (40) samples taken, all but one (1) tested below the lead action level of 15 ppb.
The table below identifies the drinking water outlets that tested above 15 ppb for lead, the actual lead level, and what temporary remedial action Cape May County Technical School District has taken to reduce the levels of lead at these locations.
Sample Location | First Draw Result in ug/l (ppb) | Remedial Action |
Sink Room 102 (West Wall 100 - #16 TL) | 58.0 | Posted Signage "SINK CLOSED DO NOT DRINK/USE WATER" Bagged Outlet. |
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.
In other words, it is the fetus that is at risk because developing fetuses receive lead from the mother’s bones. Children and fetuses absorb more lead into their bodies than adults
and are more susceptible to its effects on brain development; however, most children with elevated blood lead levels do not exhibit any symptoms, but effects may appear later in life.
How Lead Enters our Water
Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and household plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipes, brass, and chrome-brass faucets, and in some cases, pipes made of or lined with lead.
When water remains in contact with lead pipes or plumbing materials containing lead over time, the lead may dissolve into your drinking water. This means the first water drawn from the tap in the morning, or later in the afternoon if the water has not been used all day, may contain elevated levels of lead.
- Homes and buildings in New Jersey built before 1987 are more likely to have lead pipes and/or lead solder.
- Service lines, which may also contain lead, are the individual pipes that run from the well to a home or building. The property owner may also be the owner of the service line. Lead service lines are not typically found in non-community systems (e.g., school, office, restaurant, or other buildings on their own well).
- Brass faucets, fittings, and valves, including those advertised as “lead-free”, may also contribute lead to drinking water. The law currently allows end-use brass fixtures, such as faucets, that contain a maximum of 0.25 percent lead to be
labeled as “lead free”. However, prior to January 4, 2014, “lead free” allowed up to 8 percent lead content of the wetted surfaces of plumbing products including those labeled National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certified. Consumers should be aware of their current fixtures and take appropriate precautions.
Lead in Drinking Water
Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint and lead- contaminated dust or soil. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, cosmetics, imported spices and other food. Other sources include exposure in the workplace and exposure from certain hobbies like shooting ranges and fishing (lead can be carried on clothing or shoes). Lead is found in some toys, some playground equipment, and some children’s metal jewelry.
EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water may receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water When there are elevated levels of lead in your water, drinking water is likely to be a more important source of exposure.
For More Information
A copy of the test results is available in our central office for inspection by the public, including students, teachers, other school personnel, and parents, and can be viewed between the hours of 8:00am and 3:00pm and are also available on our website at www.capemaytech.com. For more information about water quality in our schools, contact Ronald Fenton at the Cape May County Technical High School Facilities Department, 609-380-0200 x.624.
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 Safe Drinking Water Act hotline at 1-800-426-4791, or contact your health care provider.
If you are concerned about lead exposure at this facility or in your home, you may want to ask your health care providers about testing children to determine levels of lead in their blood.
Sincerely,
Jamie Moscony,
Superintendent of Schools