Lead in Water Annual Notice 2024-2025
Nashwauk-Keewatin Public Schools is committed to providing a safe working and learning environment for employees and students. The District maintains a lead-in-water management plan that was developed to reduce the potential for exposure to lead in water and to comply with Minnesota State Statute 121A.335.
Minnesota State Statute 121A.335 requires public school buildings serving pre-kindergarten and kindergarten through grade 12 to establish a plan to accurately and efficiently test for lead in potable water sources every five years. In addition to testing, the District has also implemented water management practices as well.
Our water testing is completed by a third party vendor, utilizing an accredited laboratory and was last completed in 2021 therefore, testing is required again in 2026. Should remediation be necessary due to elevated levels of lead, the District would look at various options, depending on the circumstances. Remediation options could include taking a fixture out of service, labeling a fixture as non-potable, cleaning/replacing the aerator, replacing the fixture, etc. If remediation is necessary based on testing results, the District will notify parents/guardians and staff if efforts to remediate take longer than 30 days. The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that everyone always use cold water for food preparation and drinking, since hot water can release more lead from pipes than cold water.
The District will continue to publish this annual notification regarding lead-in-water, and the lead-in-water management plan is available on the District website, which can be located at www.isd319.org.
For more information on Nashwauk-Keewatin lead reduction and testing program, contact James Nelson at (218) 885-1280 or jnelson1@isd319.org.