Water Quality

Water Quality

PHOTO © HQUALITY

“Water quality is becoming a global concern of increasing significance, as risks of degradation translate directly into social-economic impacts.” UN WATER (the United Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater related issues).

The World Health Organization (WHO) states: “…access to improved sources of water can result in better health and therefore better school attendance, with longer-term consequences for [student] … lives.”

While schools in the U.S. do not share the dire concerns affecting third-world countries, lead and other contaminants in school water translate into socio-economic impacts.

Given the uncertainly of water source quality, it’s vital to obtain your community’s annual Consumer Confidence Report if your school gets water from a municipality, and if the school has a well, to have the water from the well tested.

No matter where the water comes from (city or well), it’s also crucial to test what comes out of taps and fountains. Water contaminants may enter water closer to the point of use; e.g. from building supply pipes.

Get the Lead Out — Testing, Testing, 1,2,3

Understand three points about the importance of testing for lead:

  1. Even small amounts of ingested lead can affect behavior, impair learning and physical growth. High levels in the bloodstream can cause nerve problems, coma, convulsions and even death.
  2. EPA provides helpful guidance for preventing lead exposure and on how to test for lead in its 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools guide.
  3. You can find a list of certified labs to test for lead and other contaminants on EPA’s site www.epa.gov.

Test First, Then Address the Issues

Assuming your water supply isn’t perfect, consider a Reverse Osmosis (RO), Ultraviolet Light (UV) or Ultrafiltration (UF) membrane filtration system for your school. Buying a system scaled for an entire school is not cheap, but having access to clean drinking water will pay dividends beyond the investment in purification (improved test scores, higher attendance and an untarnished reputation.)

What to Look For

Generally, vendors of industrial water purification systems will test your water and recommend the best solution or series of interventions, based on your water’s problems and the volume of water needed.

For example, UV systems are effective at killing microbes in water, while RO and UF are effective for removing particle and other contaminants. The vendor will help in determining the type and size of system based on your pollutant profile and how many gallons per day (GPD) you are likely to need.

Some systems can be powered by solar arrays, but you must have access to roofing or panel racks with a southern exposure.

Final Steps

Clean and disinfect water fountains, faucet screens and aerators regularly.

We urge you to submit your entry for the Healthy Facilities Award today. It’s not just a way to be recognized, but to further your progress on the path to health and prosperity.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Fellowes Launches New 3D Modular, Product Configurators

    Contract interiors and architectural solutions provider Fellowes recently announced the launch of new 3D modular and product configurators for several of its product lines, according to a news release. The new products offer SIF file integration and pricing for the Volo, Markerboards, Sena, and Rising product lines in connection with 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualization and 3D digital asset management.

  • Austin International School Library Renovation

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The Austin International School has been recognized with an EDS 2025 Grand Prize award in the category of Renovation.

  • Springfield Breaks Ground on $53.7M Pipkin Middle School Rebuild

    Construction is underway on a new, state-of-the-art Pipkin Middle School in Springfield, Mo., a major step in Springfield Public Schools’ (SPS) long-term facility improvement plan, according to local news. The $53.7-million project officially broke ground in early June, following years of planning and community input aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and addressing student capacity concerns.

  • New Jersey PreK–12 School Breaks Ground on New STEM Building

    Saddle River Day School (SRDS) in Saddle River, N.J., recently announced that it has broken ground on the new Dr. Kristen Walsh Hall of Science & Entrepreneurship, according to a news release. The school partnered with DIGroup Architecture for the design of the new facility, which will provide the school with space to expand its STEM and business education classes.

Digital Edition