Developing a clear communication plan: telling parents and staff about lead monitoring. That’s part of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency’s guidance manual provided to the Guam Department of Education—following levels of lead exceeding EPA’s action level of 15 parts per billion found in waters sampled from two individual cafeteria sinks at Juan M. Guerrero and Machaonao Elementary schools.

Capt. Brian Bearden of the U.S. Public Health Service and chief engineer at Guam EPA on what happens next following these discoveries.

“They did exceed the action level–there’s EPA guidance that’s provided for schools called the three t’s guidance, and it gives schools a while range of things that they should be doing, especially in terms of educating and training their staff and communicating to the parents and the staff as well," he said.

It’s preemptive and often communication on testing plans and results not only noted in that manual Bearden references but also what oversight committee chair on education, Sen. Chris Barnett, is advocating for from GDOE.

"In doing my homework on that, I'm disappointed the Guam Department of Education didn’t inform the public about these situations," Barnett said. "I know that they’re now saying they’re going to inform the public. But I think the students, staff, and stakeholders all have a right to know as soon as the Guam Department of Education does."

GDOE superintendent, Dr. Kenneth Swanson told KUAM that both JMG and Machanaonao school populations were informed of the August test results. Swanson previously defended that he did not need to inform both school communities of initial test results that were below EPA action levels.

Still, Barnett contends, Swanson has a lawful obligation to keep the community in the loop.

"Well, I wrote a letter to the superintendent on the first day of school, which was a while ago, so I'm not sure if I sent it to the right email address because he hasn’t responded yet," Barnett said. "In the letter, I did reiterate that the Safe Schools Facilities Act, which was a bill that I introduced that the governor allowed to lapse into law, that act and law requires him to notify the public of any risk or hazard at the school sites. "And also to inform the public about what GDOE is doing to remedy and mitigate these hazards. As far as I'm concerned, he hasn't done that. So again, I ask the superintendent; I know he's new on the job, but the law is the law. I think that this superintendent and any superintendent is required to follow the law."

In the meantime, Bearden suggests all schools start implementing the Three T guidance: training, testing, and taking action, ahead of the lead and copper rule revision slated for 2024—which will require testing in all schools and childcare facilities on the island.

As for what EPA advises GDOE to do about those lead samples coming back above action levels.

"Some immediate steps they have to do such as shutting off the problem fixture, there’s short-term steps they’re supposed to take including putting up a sign telling people not to use it for food preparation or whatever they do–it could include things such as flushing the faucet before you use it for various purposes," he said. "Most of these faucet problems usually are only in that first flush of water when the water sat overnight, and it leached the lead out–so you can do a flushing program where you flush the faucet for 30 seconds to a minute and then after that, the lead levels will be safe. Then there are long-term steps that are recommended, and that includes up to steps such as replacing the plumbing or replacing the fixture itself.”

GDOE said it has already implemented some immediate and short-term efforts–like disconnecting both devices at JMG and Machanaonao. Photos obtained by KUAM show red caution tape and out-of-service signs on the faucet at Machanaonao. They're all actions Bearden affirms communicate that no one should be using the tap.

This is as Swanson said he plans to switch copper plumbing out to plastic and as Barnett calls for more transparency and realistic timelines.