General
Should unlicensed child care facilities in public or charter schools be included in the program?

Only licensed child care facilities are included in this program.

How are facilities being notified to enroll in the program?

Child care facilities are notified by email to enroll from the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education (NC DCDEE). Schools are notified to enroll by email from RTI using a list of contacts provided by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NC DPI).

What is the process for proposed child care facilities?

Proposed child care facilities will follow the same process as all other child care facilities.

Lead in Water
Are sample kits automatically shipped to facilities coming up on their 3-year retesting mark?

The sample kits are not automatically shipped to the facility. The facility should log into their existing account to complete the lead in water section training and complete the order form for a new water sample kit. The facility should review the tap list to ensure that only drinking and cooking taps are included.

Should schools sample cooking equipment that is hard plumbed to a water source?

Schools may sample cooking equipment that is hard plumbed to a water source, such as kettles or steamers. However, RTI will not provide mitigation support for any hard plumbed appliances at this time.

How are lead in water results added to the facility data mapper if a private lab is used?

Results from a private lab will not be added to the facility data mapper.

Are we conducting any sampling BEFORE mitigation?

No. Local and state health officials will only conduct post-mitigation sampling.

Are we still being notified if a facility has any samples at or above the state action level?

No. Local and state health officials will only be notified once mitigation at the appropriate taps is completed. The notification will include the tap information, including the initial test result.

Do we need to visit facilities to verify signage is posted and there is an alternative water source?

Yes. Local and state health officials should ensure that all documented mitigation actions are maintained by the facility.

Are we still conducting confirmatory sampling?

No. The local and state health officials will not conduct confirmatory sampling. For any taps at or above 150ppb, our program will work with the facility to conduct follow-up sampling. Otherwise, local and state health officials will conduct post-mitigation sampling once notified by our program that mitigation was completed at the appropriate taps.

When should I conduct post-mitigation sampling?

Local and state health officials will be notified by our program that mitigation was completed at the appropriate taps. Officials are instructed to schedule post-mitigation sampling visits for at least 19 days after receiving the notification and instruct facilities to flush their replacement plumbing products daily. If post-mitigation sampling must occur before an adequate break-in period can be completed due to scheduling restrictions, keep in mind that elevated lead levels could still occur; high results within the 3-week break-in period should be treated with caution and may require follow-up sampling visits.

What do I do about plumbed-in appliances that tested at or above the state action level?

Mitigation support for plumbed-in appliances is not provided by RTI. If the facility chooses to mitigate lead at the plumbed-in appliance, then the local and state health officials will be notified to complete post-mitigation sampling.

How often do filters received as part of mitigation provided by this program need to be replaced?

To ensure drinking and cooking water continues to be safe, filters must be replaced regularly according to the manufacturer specifications (generally about twice per year depending on overall water use at each tap). The facilities are responsible for maintaining and replacing filter cartridges.

Lead-Based Paint
What is the lead-based paint hazard checklist?

If lead-based paint hazards are identified during an on-site visit completed by our program’s certified professionals, a lead-based paint checklist for the facility will be available for download on our facility data mapper. The checklist provides the following: (1) description/location of hazard, (2) recommended actions provided by the professional, (3) mitigation actions listed by the facility, and (4) option for EHS to indicate if hazard is restricted.

When do EHS conduct a site visit and what will the site visit include?

EHS should conduct at least one site visit at both schools and child care facilities that have identified lead-based paint hazards and did not pursue abatement reimbursement. During the site visit, the EHS will use the lead-based paint hazard checklist to ensure inaccessibility to the existing lead-based paint hazards.

Will prior lead investigations completed by EHS count towards a “prior inspection exemption?”

Prior investigations completed by EHS may count towards the prior inspection exemption if the investigation was completed within the past 3 years and was performed in accordance with 40 CFR 745.223 and 10A NCAC 41C .0800 and .0900.

Documentation associated with the prior investigation will be requested during the enrollment survey and must be provided by the facility to meet the rule requirements. You can find more information on the documentation required for a prior inspection exemption here: https://bit.ly/3CK-LBP-docs.

Do EHS lead investigations done more than 3 years ago count towards the “prior inspection exemption?

No, if the lead investigation was conducted more than 3 years ago by the EHS, the facility will require a new lead risk assessment.

Can facilities be reimbursed for lead mitigation done recently due to a local EH lead inspection?

Yes, cost reimbursement is available for qualifying lead-based paint and asbestos abatement activities completed on or after April 29, 2022. Abatement costs are reimbursable up to 2/3 of the cost for public schools (including public charter schools) and completely reimbursable for North Carolina licensed child care facilities. Please see NC DHHS’s website for more information: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/public-health/asbestos-and-lead-based-paint-reimbursement-program-arpa.

How are EHS notified if lead-based paint hazards are identified at a facility in their jurisdiction?

EHS will be notified by email if lead-based paint hazards are identified at a facility in their jurisdiction. The on-site visit report and lead-based paint hazard checklist can be downloaded for any facility from our facility data mapper: bit.ly/3CK-data.