![Drinking water in schools and day-care centers: chemical quality and health risks for children [Webinar]](https://reachforwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Webinaire20170628_banniere_eng1.png)
Cost: free
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Location: webinar
This webinar is organized by ReachForWater (VisezEau®), the Research Centre of the CHU de Québec-Axis Community Health and Optimized Health Practices and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec, with the NSERC Industrial Research Chair on Water Quality Management and Monitoring at Université Laval and CentrEau.
Problematic
Although drinking water in schools and day-care facilities is generally of good quality, the possible chemical contamination of the water distributed in these facilities is a persistent problem. It may be associated with contamination of the source, or related to the treatment of water (mainly disinfection products). However, most often it is associated with the components of piping (lead, copper, etc.). Young children (<6 years) are particularly vulnerable to these exposures. Water consumption in schools and day-care centers is little known, but even low consumption could be a problem if contamination, particularly from plumbing constituents, is high. In the context of research aimed at promoting water consumption in schools (ReachForWater, VisezEau®), we felt it was important to take stock of how these potential problems are assessed and managed.
Although several studies have been carried out on the subject, their results are often punctual and do not provide a good picture of the situation. In addition, several jurisdictions in Canada and elsewhere are proposing recommendations for systematic testing in these settings (assessment of all water points) without a clear definition of the criteria for these recommendations.
Webinar Objectives
At the end of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Identify key chemical contaminants in drinking water in schools and daycares;
- Summarize available data on the level of chemical contamination of water in schools and daycares, particularly in relation to piping;
- Provide estimates of water use at daycare or in schools;
- Discuss potential health impacts related to water use in school or daycare;
- Analyze current practices in Canada to assess and manage this risk.
Potential Participants
- Water wuality researchers
- Public health professionals
- Provincial and federal jurisdictions leaders
- School Commissioners