Ontario School Plant Manager Summer 2018 by DEL Communications Inc.

SUMMER 2018

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Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

In this issue is published by DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3L 0G5 www.delcommunications.com President & CEO David Langstaff

Profile: Groh Drive Public School Provides Leading-edge Learning........................................................................... 6 Planning for Effective Crisis Response................................................................. 8

Publisher Jason Stefanik

Mould and School Indoor Air Quality................................................................. 9

Editor Lyndon McLean lyndon@delcommunications.com

Replacement Filter Bags and Service............................................................... 14

Advertising Sales Manager Dayna Oulion Advertising Account Executives Gary Barrington Jennifer Hebert Anthony Romeo Production services provided by: S.G. Bennett Marketing Services www.sgbennett.com Art Director Kathy Cable Layout / Advertising Art Dave Bamburak Dana Jensen

© Copyright 2018, DEL Communications Inc. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent of the publisher. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein and the reliability of the source, the publisherin no way guarantees nor warrants the information and is not responsible for errors, omissions or statements made by advertisers. Opinions and recommendations made by contributors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher, its directors, officers or employees. Publications mail agreement #40934510 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: DEL Communications Inc. Suite 300, 6 Roslyn Road Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada R3L 0G5 Email: david@delcommunications.com

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Thoughts On ... Even Better Customer Service.............................................. 5

Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

Ontario EcoSchools: How Custodians Drive Success.............................. 15 Lead in Drinking Water: Filtration as a Fix..................................................... 16 Index to Advertisers................................................................................................... 18

Thoughts On

Even Better Customer Service By Chuck Morris Recently someone close to me entered a medium- to high-end women’s retail clothing store. She was looking around to see what may be nice to add to her wardrobe. After several minutes had gone by, she realized no one had come to ask if they could help. Looking around, one person was visible and speaking on a telephone, obviously to a friend, and the only other person was sitting near the first, eating and playing with her nails. After waiting for another five minutes and after walking near the two store employees, she left. Walking down the mall a few feet, she looked up the number on her BlackBerry and called the store. A female voice answered. The next few minutes were uncomfortable for the person on the phone, who turned out to be the store manager. Needless to say, that retail outlet missed an opportunity to sell something to someone who was intent on making a fairly hefty purchase. Whether it be a retail environment or a public-sector organization (PSO), customer service is very, very important! Look at a PSO operation: there are vendors that are dealt with constantly (you may be their customer), other PSOs that you may need to deal with, or in the case of education, it would be your students, teachers and other staff (and this includes private schools as well). Let’s not forget about the public either. In today’s world, many people want to be involved, and many of them are members of groups that are involved with the direction their school (K-12) is heading. Do not discount them! Sure, everyone has a bad day occasionally, which includes your “customers”, not just you! You want to develop and maintain a good rapport with all of them for several reasons, no matter how you are

feeling. The most obvious is a happy customer, one who does not complain and returns to deal with you again, and, in a roundabout way, promotes you, your department or your organization. One other thing to think about is the fact that you may not really know who it is you are dealing with! Think about a K-12 situation and when you are dealing with the Parent Advisory council. Who are they and how are they connected? Can they help a situation or, if you are having a “not so wonderful” day, can they create hardship for you or your department? The answer to that is yes and yes! Public sector jobs and managing large corporations have their complications and are similar in that sense. Those complications arrive every day in the form of more work from the government department you report to or to the shareholders of the company. Whichever the case may be, your workload increases, and your demeanor may suffer because of it. Don’t allow that to happen! You need to share a great attitude with your immediate staff and make sure that goes all the way to whomever your “customer” may be. Smile, sell yourself, be friendly, and talk to them. The other benefits from these actions − actions that make your workday better − also affect your friends outside of work and others you interact with. Now, isn’t life a little easier when this happens? Remember, this is not a "fantasy world" that has been described here, but it is one of reality. This reality can make your life better and may even open some doors for you down the road. Don’t discount this as trivial nonsense. We all want a better life, and that includes your customers. Make them happy, and you too will be happy. ¦ Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

Leading-edge Learning: New School Shines By Melanie Franner When Groh Drive Public School opened its doors to students in September 2017, it did so with all the tools needed to ensure that it could deliver on its motto “Learning to Learn”. The new school physically reflects its teaching philosophy to deliver a more creative and open approach than more traditional methods.

Design Details CS&P Architects Inc. was the firm tasked with the design of the school. “WRDSB were very interested in an architecture that celebrated their idea of learning,” explains Maureen O’Shaughnessy, Principal at CS&P Architects. “They wanted really great spaces that could be used for collaboration; spaces that were fun and exciting, and that reflected their vision of what a school could be.” According to O’Shaughnessy, this goal gave the architectural team something to which to aspire. The site itself helped complete the picture. “It was a greenfield site,” says Victoria Beltrano, Associate and Project Architect at CS&P Architects. “It was located near the Groh Trail, an old farming road that was being repurposed by the city into multi-use recreational trails.” This old farming road formed the backdrop of the school design. “The overall design strategy pulled inspiration from the rural heritage of the site,” adds Beltrano. “Part of our challenge was to think of the school as a 21st-century learning space but to use the heritage roots of the area as inspiration.” The result is a grouping of single and two-storey structures that reflect a “farmstead”. “The gym and library commons is a modern interpretation of a barn,” says O’Shaughnessy. “The learning spaces within reflect the smaller farming structures, and the ‘silo’ is reinterpreted as the beacon or light fixture in the library.”

Bricks and Mortar Tambro Construction Ltd. was the general contractor on the Groh Drive Public School project. “We broke ground in April 2016 and achieved occupancy in May 2017,” says April Vincent, Project Manager with Tambro Construction, who adds that the school’s building envelope is finished in a variety of brick veneer and metal siding accents. The superstructure is predominantly concrete block (CMU) and structural steel. All in, the school is about 68,000 square feet. “We don’t often see a pitched roof structure used for spaces like the gymnasium, so that was a fairly unique feature of this project,” says Vincent, who adds that nearly all of the major trades were local to the Waterloo region.

Among the firms were Velocity Mechanical Inc.; Electricomm Services (Ont) Ltd.; Blockwall Masonry Ltd.; Network Telecom; STS Security & Communications Systems; Kambi Welding & Fabricating Ltd.; D&M Steel Ltd.; Dominion Acoustics; Baywood Interior Millwork; and Blue Jet Painting.

Board Success The new school is part of the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB). “The Groh Drive Public School was a significant project for our board,” explains Mel Lavoie, Project Coordinator, Business Services with WRDSB. “It would be one of our largest projects completed that year. The school completion brought many students out of portables from different schools in the area. This is always an exciting time as the school quickly becomes part of the community.” Aside from a year delay for the building of off-site stormwater management ponds, construction of the school went very well, with very few problems, according to Lavoie. The school design incorporates Pods (smaller rooms) between classrooms, which creates an area of interaction for student collaboration. “It also provides voice and choice as to where the students would like to work,” he adds. The Learning Commons, which features a fireplace, also creates the opportunity for student collaboration. “The Learning Commons is the focal point of all learning,” explains Lavoie. “Students can bring their mobile technology and work together. We’ve installed a 65-inch television for students to access Google hang-outs. Our students are now collaborating with other students all around the world.”

A New Era As a brand-new school that reflects current, modernized teaching philosophies, Groh Drive Public School has quickly become integrated into its rural community. In doing so, it has become a reflection of both the new and old – and a testament to what the future will hold. “Parents within the community are extremely pleased,” concludes Lavoie. “They see it as a great building for 21st-century learning.” ¦ Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

Lockdown: Planning for Effective Crisis Response Provided by the Workers Health & Safety Centre Has your school experienced some form of violent emergency or crisis? Unfortunately, if it hasn’t already, it most likely will in future. The question then becomes, is your school prepared for it?

all schools or school communities. It’s not possible to envision every possible scenario involving school safety. But it is important to plan for a wide range of situations and practice them.

School violence in recent years, especially random gun violence, has sent chills down the spines of students, parents, and school staff across the province. But fear need not incapacitate us. Just as schools have established emergency procedures for dealing with non-violent crises, such as fires and medical emergencies, many schools are also confronting serious violent incidents such as shootings, bomb threats and hostage takings, by undertaking a different kind of emergency planning – namely, a “lockdown” response.

Effective lockdown plans consider the following common, key elements:

Sometimes referred to as a “full lockdown”, this response is intended to restrict all movement in and out and within school during a lockdown. The purpose of a lockdown plan is to protect students, faculty, staff, teachers, parents and visitors from a threat, and isolate a dangerous situation. And, depending on the situation, the lockdown plan must enable an organized evacuation from a dangerous area to a safe location, either inside or away from the school. No single strategy or protocol will fit

Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

•A written policy covering all in the school community, including night staff and custodians; • C onsultation with the joint health and safety committee, police and broader community;

person in charge of the communications centre and command post at all times); • Education and training (designed to ensure learning is demonstrated); • Lockdown drills and evaluation (minimum of two lockdown drills each year is required for every publiclyfunded school in Ontario); • Tabletop exercises (test simulated situations in a meeting room); and • Annual review of the lockdown plan. To learn more, contact Workers Health &

•C onsistent plan terminology (all public school boards in Ontario must use the terms “lockdown”, “shelterin-place” and “hold and secure”);

Safety Centre at 1-888-869-7950 and ask to

• E vacuation and safe shelter (e.g. school bus or nearby community location);

occupational health and safety training

•D isability and accommodation (no person with a disability should be left to fend for themselves); • I dentification of vulnerable areas (e.g. office, gym, washrooms, portable classrooms);

speak to a Training Services representative, or drop us a line at contactus@whsc. on.ca. We are Ontario’s only designated centre. At the request of, and with input from, the province’s teacher unions, we have developed a three-hour training program simply entitled “Lockdown: A Crisis Response”. The program facilitates participant discussion on all elements of a successful lockdown plan. Program exercises

•R oles and responsibilities (for all staff, volunteers, students, and visitors);

also build practical experience, by among

•C ommunication methods and tools (including a designated competent

evaluate either their own lockdown plan

other things, encouraging participants to or one of four sample plans provided. ¦

Mould and

School Indoor Air Quality by Karen L.H. Robinson, President and CEO, Canadians for A Safe Learning Environment (retired) This document is intended for school administrators, staff, parents, students, and anyone concerned with mould problems in schools. Indoor mould overgrowth can be a common problem in schools, often with serious health concerns.

that remediation should be done without regard to the kind of mould present.” (Dr. Harriet Burge, Harvard University School of Public Health.) [ii]

Some individuals are more sensitive to mould exposure than others. Whether the individual has a true allergy or has a sensitivity to mould, very low exposure levels can cause mild to severe symptoms.

The words “mould” and “mold” are used interchangeably. “Mould” is the Canadian and British spelling and “mold” is the American.

According to Health Canada, “Responses to inhalation may be mild and nonobservable, may be acute and severe with flu-like symptoms, may cause irreversible change in lung functions after continuous chronic exposure, or may cause death.” [i] Moulds can adversely affect the health of non-allergic individuals. If the indoor mould growth is not removed, healthy individuals can develop mould sensitivity to even the more benign varieties. Whether indoor moulds are toxic or are more benign varieties, if you can see mould or “If there is mouldy odour in any indoor space, that is sufficient indication that mould is present, and

About Mould, or Mold

There are three basic classifications of mould related health concerns: infectious, allergenic, and toxic. Allergic reactions are the most common and can include the following symptoms: watery eyes, runny nose, itching, rashes, hives, nasal congestion, coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulties, headache, dizziness, fatigue and in extreme cases tremors. Even the benign mould varieties will cause an allergic reaction after repeated exposures, and the reactions may become more severe over time. Mould is a known irritant to asthma sufferers. Unlike humans who digest their foods inside the body, moulds digest their food outside the body. The “digestion” products are sometimes called “natural

volatile organic compounds.” Toxic mould produces mycotoxins that can damage a variety of organs and tissues in the human body including the liver, central nervous system, lungs, digestive tract, and immune functions. Some of the symptoms related to toxic mould exposure can be dizziness, fatigue, tremors, headaches, body bruising, nosebleeds, mood swings, depression, breathing difficulties, and a weakened immune system. The mould Stachybotrys chartarum (or atra), for example, produces the toxin trichothecene satratoxin H which attacks the respiratory system to produce coughing, congestion, and bleeding of the lungs, and can lead to death. This mould is black and sticky and is found in damp environments such as on frames or sills of windows with condensation problems. Other moulds which produce harmful toxins include some strains of the following species: Acremonium, Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillum, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium. A few fungi can invade living cells and cause infectious diseases. Two such types of fungi are Aspergillus and Fusarium. Most Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

infectious diseases caused by fungi occur to individuals who are immune-compromised like those with severe burns, AIDS, those hospitalized for cancer treatment and those individuals who have lung diseases.

Examples of Toxic Mould Alternaria sp. – It is often found in carpets, textiles, and on window frames. It has been associated with hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Alternaria alternata is capable of producing mycotoxins which can be related to asthma attacks, bronchiospasms, and pulmonary emphysema.

Aspergillis veriscolor – It is commonly found in soil, hay, cotton, dust, and dairy products. It can produce the mycotoxin sterigmatocystin and cyclopiaxonic acid. These toxins can cause diarrhea and upset stomach, eye, nose, and throat irritation, respiratory irritation, headaches, and fatigue. It is reported to be a liver and kidney carcinogen. Penicillium aurantiogriseum and Penicillium brevicompactum – They can be found on paint, in soil, decaying plants, foods, and textiles. These two types of Penicillium release mycotoxins into the air. Pencillium spores may cause hypersensitivity

pneumonitis, allergic skin reactions, headaches, itchy eyes, and asthma attacks. Stachybotrys chartarum – It is found in wet building materials with high cellulose content and a low nitrogen content. This mould can produce trichothecene mycotoxins which can be responsible for cold and flu symptoms, sore throats, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue, dermatitis, memory loss, asthma attacks, respiratory problems, and tremors. The toxins produced by this fungus will suppress the immune system. It has been known to kill hogs and cattle. It has also been blamed for the death of several infants. The dead spores are still allergenic and toxigenic when inhaled. Trichoderma sp. – It is found in soil, dead trees, paper, and pine needles, but can often be found on window ledges. It produces antibiotics which are toxic to humans.

Mould Removal The most effective way to control moulds is to eliminate moisture, repair leaks, remove damaged or contaminated plaster, wood, etc., and clean the remaining hard surfaces. Increased ventilation can also assist in discouraging renewed mould growth by drying surfaces and limiting dampness from condensation.

1-800-661-6600 www.casterland.com Toll Free

When dealing with mould removal, experts recommend using the safe work practices similar to those used for asbestos removal. Persons removing moulds should be healthy and free of symptoms. Isolation of the work area, protection of workers and others, and thorough clean-up afterward are essential. If the mould growth is extensive, it may be wise to hire a professional abatement company. See the guidelines listed below for more detailed information.

Antimicrobial Chemical Treatments Caution: chemical sprays that coat surfaces and are said to inhibit further mould growth are usually an unnecessary expense, are of questionable value, and are not recommended by the most reputable sources (see below). There is also a risk that people may be tempted to cut corners by trying these antimicrobial treatments when remedial work is what is really needed.

Testing for Moulds Caution: Air quality testing is sometimes used to determine the existence of or the extent of contaminants. Tests for mould infestation may help indicate the degree of growth Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

and the varieties present, but tests need to be used with caution for several reasons. Testing can be expensive, and collection of spore information can be unreliable. Also, the raw data can be misinterpreted by the untrained. Mould testing can be valuable to a qualified building evaluator but may not be a necessary expense in most cases. Professionals in building environments rely on much more than raw test results to evaluate what is usually a complex situation. If an air quality test does not find mould in a building, this is not a guarantee that mould overgrowth is not present. Common mould tests measure live spores. If the colony is in a dormant part of the life cycle, live spores will not be in production or may not be found in numbers that reflect the actual colony. If the moisture levels are down, or if air circulation is up, or if any of several other factors are present or absent, the tests may not find mould even though mould contamination may still be present. This is an oversimplification but a very important point. It is also now recognized that mould particles in the air − dead mould not measured by most tests − contain mould cells that can cause health reactions. It is essential when releasing mould test data that a clear interpretation by a qualified professional accompany the data.

For more information

are not normally made available to third parties or the public. Unfortunately, some school boards still exclude parents and only provide test results to staff serving on Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committees. Access limitations are often intended to protect privacy concerns; however, parents of children in the school in question are legally entitled to have exposure data. These parents of children potentially affected should also be supplied with the interpretation of the expert who evaluated the site – very important information because it is too easy for non-experts to misinterpret test results.

• Health Canada’s guidelines: http:// www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/air/ fungal-fongique/index-eng.php • “AIHA Facts About Mold”: https://www.aiha. org/about-ih/Pages/Facts-About-Mold.aspx • Canadian Construction Association, Mould Guidelines: www.cca-acc.com/ documents/electronic/cca82/cca82.pdf • Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation of Fungi in Indoor Environments (otherwise known as “the New York Protocol”) advises against antimicrobial use. For instruction

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Although mould testing is expensive and of questionable value, when considering mould test results, the following occurrences indicate possible concern: • mould species that are not found in the building’s outdoor samples but are found in the building’s indoor samples; • moulds that produce mycotoxins are found indoors; • high spore counts; • spore counts that are higher indoors than outdoors. Testing to identify the types of mould present is not common these days because it is recognized that indoor mould of any kind is not good for people. And as one occupational hygienist put it, “If you can see or smell mould then you have mould, so find it and get rid of it.”

\ Measurement and Verification (M&V) Studies \ Electrical Load Profiling \ Energy Audits \ Assessment Studies

Access to Information Who has access to test results and their interpretations? We understand that in most of Canada, test reports are restricted to government and school officials, to staff, and to parents of school children who may be affected and

www.hoskin.ca | salesb@hoskin.ca Vancouver | Burlington | Montréal Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

on antimicrobial treatments, see page 9 of the executive summary on http://www.nyc.gov/html/ doh/downloads/pdf/epi/epimold-guidelines.pdf • Mould Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings: http://www.epa. gov/mold/mold_remediation.html • NIOSH alert: Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/docs/2013-102/pdfs/2013-102.pdf ¦ References Health Canada’s guidelines: http:// www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/air/ fungal-fongique/index-eng.php “AIHA Facts About Mold”: https://www.aiha. org/about-ih/Pages/Facts-About-Mold.aspx Canadian Construction Association, Mould Guidelines: www.cca-acc.com/ documents/electronic/cca82/cca82.pdf Guidelines on Assessment and Remediation

12 Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

of Fungi in Indoor Environments (otherwise known as “the New York Protocol”) advises against antimicrobial use. For instruction on antimicrobial treatments, see page 9 of the executive summary on http:// www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/ pdf/epi/epi-mold-guidelines.pdf

Mould Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings: http://www.epa. gov/mold/mold_remediation.html

“Airborne Fungal Glossary”, University of Minnesota.

NIOSH alert: Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. November 2012. http://www.cdc.gov/ niosh/docs/2013-102/pdfs/2013-102.pdf Miller J.D., McMullin D.R., "Fungal secondary metabolites as harmful indoor air contaminants: 10 years on." PubMed 2014 Nov 4. http://www.ncbi. nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25363558 Mudarri and W. J. Fisk, “Public health and economic impact of dampness and mold”. Indoor Air 2007; 17: 226–235 http:// onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ j.1600-0668.2007.00474.x/abstract

“Indoor Air Quality in Schools”. Cutter Information Corporation, 1996.

[i] “Significance of Fungi in Indoor Air”, Health Canada, p.S9, 1987 [ii] Personal communication, Dr. Harriet Burge, Harvard University School of Public Health

Canadians for A Safe Learning Environment (CASLE), an award-winning national registered charity with twenty-five years of experience in improving indoor environments in schools, has closed as of December 2017. Its resourceful website is being kept available at www.casle.ca.

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Replacement Filter Bags and Service N.R. Murphy Limited has been manufacturing dust collection equipment for over 60 years. Several years ago, we opened our Filter Division and are currently manufacturing our own filter bags, as well as filter bags for other manufacturer equipment. We use and stock first-quality filter media so our engineering staff can select the filter media most appropriate for your dust application. Many variables will affect the frequency of your filter change-outs, such as the number of shifts you run (whether the dust collector is in dally operation) and, most importantly, the type and properties of the material belong collected and general plant conditions. New filter bags must be manufactured from the correct media and installed correctly to avoid dust leaking past the filters and into the facility. On a typical service call, our service technicians will remove the existing filter bags, install a new set of filters, and do a general service on the dust collector. Our experienced technicians have been employed with N.R. Murphy Limited for many years and truly are “the experts”. Installing filter bags isn’t a desired task at a plant; it’s a dirty job by nature and can be extremely dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Our technicians have safety training specific to this. And since they’ve been performing service work − as well as building our dust collectors for so many years − they can work quickly and efficiently, and are able to pinpoint problems with your collector and find solutions. If the dust collector is manufactured by N.R. Murphy Ltd., its serial number will be located on the inside of the filter section access door and will also be on the front of the maintenance manual. With the serial number, our sales representative can access information from our job file to obtain the proper filter bag measurements as well as identify the filter media originally installed in the collector.

The usual efficiency of our dry filter units is 99.9 per cent plus, on particle size 1 micron or larger (after an initial run-in period and the filters have had sufficient time to accumulate a dust cake). A similar filter media that we use in our dust collectors was used on an installation handling lead oxides, and emission analysis tests confirmed levels of less than .01 grains per cu. ft. 14 Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

For other equipment manufacturers, a sample bag is required to ensure that the filters fit properly. If you’re supplying a sample off your shelf, please be certain it’s from the correct dust collector, if there are various dust collectors on site. When supplying a used filter bag from the dust collector, please be aware of the dust type and take appropriate precautions such as the use of respiratory equipment and gloves. When we are dealing with an application other than wood dust, we require a Material Safety Data Sheet for the type of dust being handled to ensue the safety of our staff who will be handling the used filter bag. Please phone our order desk at 519-621-6210 to obtain quote for filter bags and service work. ¦

A passion for action:

How custodians drive EcoSchools success

By Melissa Benner, Communications Director, Ontario EcoSchools When Pamela Deckert became a school custodian, she had an environmental epiphany. Deckert started her career working at an insurance office and didn’t notice how much waste could accumulate. This quickly changed when she started her first custodial job. “In some schools, I’d spend 1.5 hours picking up garbage, and we could fill up to 25 industrial-sized bags a day. When I moved to a school where students were involved in recycling, they would produce one small bag of garbage. It was like night and day.” She was so moved by the students’ work that she wrote the school a letter, praising them for doing a fabulous job and for being role models. Three years later, Deckert is now head custodian at St. Kateri in Waterloo Catholic DSB, where she remains a core supporter of getting students involved in waste minimization and urges them on at assemblies. “I remind them that if my threeyear-old can put things in the right bin, so can they!” Deckert also collaborates with teachers and administrative staff to expand these efforts. This year, she worked with colleagues to submit a school garden grant. Under her watch, the school has also certified with the award-winning Ontario EcoSchools certification program. Dave Lynch, Principal at St. Kateri, is deeply appreciative of Deckert’s ongoing efforts, calling her “a driving force behind our school’s evolving commitment to the EcoSchools program.” He notes that she’s been a staff champion in getting students involved in recycling, Boomerang lunches (where students take their food waste home with them), and that Deckert has “helped make our students and staff more aware of our responsibility to care for and look after our planet." Support for custodians like Deckert begins at the school board level. WCDSB has been part of the Ontario EcoSchools program since 2011 and has grown from seven certified schools to 36 schools certifying in 2018. The board recognizes the role of custodians as instrumental to the success of their program, and board staff have observed that, “Schools with custodial support also have a higher success with waste diversion rates.”

To further encourage collaboration, the board schedules meetings with custodial staff, teachers, and school administrators, where custodial staff offer input on making the EcoSchools program successful at their school. In addition, School Board Facility Services provides training for custodians to keep them informed on changes at their schools, including board-wide sustainable initiatives and annual environmental goals. At St. Dominic in WCDSB, Tony Ward had a similar environmental awakening to Deckert’s: “I started with the board five years ago. I’m head custodian at my own school now, but in the earlier days, I’d be sent to various schools daily to fill in for absences. I could see firsthand what a little enthusiasm could evolve into. I also witnessed schools where the head custodian was less than enthusiastic and how it could negatively impact the students and school in initiating a solid program.” Building on these early experiences, Ward continues to promote environmental initiatives, such as supporting student recycling efforts, educating youth on daily actions, and providing a solid perspective on improving the process with each new year. It’s this passion that makes Ward such a valuable and valued part of his school’s EcoTeam. Heather Papp, Vice Principal at St. Dominic, elaborates: “Tony’s commitment to building student capacity within the EcoTeam framework is undeniable. He encourages students to think about simple ideas we can do every day to promote a world focused on sustainability.” For Ward, his approach boils down to forward thinking and personal action. “On a personal level, we all want to do just a little bit more. Sometimes we think of things on a grand scale and it feels overwhelming, when, if we break it down to the little things, it can be easier to adopt and still significantly impact the cause.” ¦ Ontario EcoSchools is a non-profit organization that certifies schools on environmental learning and action. You can find out more about the program by visiting www.ontarioecoschools.org.

Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

Lead in Drinking Water:

Filtration as a Fix Provided by Dobbin Sales Limited There is growing concern in Canada today about how much lead is in the water we consume. For decades, many have assumed that lead in water was a thing of the past. After all, most cities have municipal water systems that test, monitor, and remove such things, right? A google search of “lead in drinking water in schools” produces a long list of news stories from across Canada identifying areas where lead has been identified in the drinking water supply. Additionally, news coverage of the public disaster in Flint, Michigan has brought a heightened awareness of the harm lead can cause. For schools and other large public facilities, where drinking fountains, water coolers, and bottle filling stations are commonly used, one of the questions raised with this increased awareness is, “are pointof-use filtration products an effective method to remove lead that has leached into drinking water from the plumbing supply system?” To answer this question, we need to look many different factors.

What’s so bad about lead? Lead has been widely used to transport water for many centuries. Such use was so common that the word “plumbing” derives from plumbum, the Latin word for lead. In Canada, lead has historically been used in the plumbing and waterworks industry. Despite its usefulness, lead has been proven to create very serious health problems for people (particularly children and pregnant women) who ingest it. Lead is toxic − even at low levels, continuous exposure causes a variety of health problems, including permanent nervous system, brain, and kidney damage, hyperactivity, and other behavior and learning issues, memory problems, severe headaches, high blood pressure, 16 Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

hearing problems, impaired growth, reproductive problems, digestive problems, and muscle and joint pain. In some instances, exposure to extreme lead levels has even resulted in death. Lead is more easily absorbed by sensitive tissue such as that found in growing bodies, and the effects are cumulative, irreversible, can exacerbate other health problems and can last a lifetime. For these reasons, vulnerable populations such as babies, infants, young children, seniors, people with existing health issues and pregnant and/or nursing mothers should avoid ingesting lead at all costs. According to the Canadian Water Quality Association, it was almost four decades ago when industry learned that lead could dissolve into the water supply from the pipes and fittings, and it decided then to limit the amount of lead used in alloys and materials in the water sector. Today, that limit is 0.25 per cent as defined by the NSF 372 Standard.

How much lead is too much lead? Scientists and toxicologists would correctly state that no amount of lead consumed is good for the human body. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) defined a reference level of five micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) to identify children with elevated blood-lead levels. These children are exposed to more lead than most children. The U.S.-based Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established a lead “action level” for public water systems of 15 parts per billion. If more than 10 per cent of water sampled, system-wide, hits this level, then corrosion control treatment may be necessary. The level is different for schools. If a school finds that their lead level exceeds 20 ppb coming from a particular outlet at first draw, the outlet should be taken out of service.

Responsibility for Safe Drinking Water

Conclusion

According to Health Canada, the responsibility for making sure drinking water supplies are safe is shared between the provincial, territorial, federal, and municipal governments. The day-to-day responsibility of providing safe drinking water to the public generally rests with the provinces and territories, while municipalities usually oversee the daily operations of the treatment facilities.

Despite the availability of drinking fountains, water coolers and water bottle filling stations with specially-designed filters that are certified to meet or exceed NSF/ANSI Standard 53 to remove lead from the water source itself, only a small percentage of schools and institutions have these types of units installed. For older institutions built before 1986 that may have elevated lead levels in their water up to 150 ppb, upgrading to a filtered model or retrofitting NSF/ANSI 53 certified filtration onto an older model may be a viable solution to reduce lead in drinking water.

Health Canada's Water Quality and Health Bureau plays a leadership role in science and research. Its mandate and expertise lie in protecting the health of all Canadians by developing the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality in partnership with the provinces and territories. These guidelines are used by every jurisdiction in Canada and are the basis for establishing drinking water quality requirements for all Canadians. The drinking water supply can be broken down into three parts: the source water, the drinking water treatment system, and the distribution system that carries the treated water to homes, businesses, schools, and other buildings. Drinking water can become contaminated by the products and materials with which it comes into contact. Water is a solvent and can leach metals and other chemicals from pipes, fittings, fixtures, and other products. Health Canada works with national and international standards-setting organizations to develop health-based performance standards for these products and materials to ensure they aren’t contributing harmful contaminants to drinking water. Complete details on acceptable water quality, testing protocols, and overall drinking water guidleines can be found on the Health Canada website (http:// www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/drink-potab/index-eng.php).

Filtration as a Solution

Dobbin Sales Limited Dobbin Sales acts as the Canadian Master Distributor for Elkay water delivery products. We are committed to providing safe drinking water solutions for educational facilities across Ontario and throughout Canada. Our team of experienced advisors can offer technical support and guidance on water coolers, drinking fountains, bottle filling stations and a wide range of lead reduction solutions. We spend a great deal of time and energy in understanding the challenges faced by school boards in dealing with aging infrastructure and how best to provide safe drinking water for students. Elkay is the worlds leading manufacturer of drinking water solutions and has invested heavily in NSF/ANSI 53 compliant filtration products. Please contact us, and a member of our team would be pleased to assist with in depth analysis and provide solutions to any water delivery challenge. We can be reached toll free at 1-800-565-8515 or via email at info@ dobbinsales.com. Elkay product info can be found at ezh2O.com. ¦

The CWQA states that lead in municipal water can be removed by applying an NSF 53 certified product. NSF/ANSI Standard 53-certified products effectively reduce lead from incoming water levels with 150 ppb of lead to below EPA action levels (15 ppb) for up to 3,000 gallons. NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for Drinking Water Treatment is the nationally recognized standard for evaluating and certifying drinking water treatment systems for the reduction of contaminants from drinking water. Water filters are tested and certified to NSF/ANSI 53 to ensure they reduce contaminants, including lead, per the requirements of the standard. For schools and other public buildings with existing drinking water outlets, an NSF 53-certified product can be retrofitted; alternatively, new fountains, coolers, or bottle fillers can be installed which come equipped with a filter built right in. Regular maintenance is required when using filters as a lead-remediation method. Should water flow decrease, the filter may need to be replaced sooner, as this may indicate that your building may have experienced a spike in particulate lead that has compromised the filter’s ability to filter lead and other particulates. Always maintain your filters per the manufacturer’s specifications provided with your unit, and replace your filters should output flow level be dramatically reduced, regardless of whether you are approaching the stated maximum capacity of the filter. To confirm whether an accredited certification body has officially certified a particular brand of filter, be sure to check both the Water Quality Association and NSF International website listings. If you do not find the filter you are considering on one of these sites, it may not perform to the level you need for lead contamination. Ontario School Plant Manager | Summer 2018

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