Results and Metrics

Find a facility
There are two ways to find a facility. Either zoom in on the map or use the search bar. When you select a facility the bar chart and results table on the bottom of the page will update to provide the data for your selection. When no facilities are selected the bar chart and results table will display available state-wide data.

• Zoom in on the map: Put your mouse cursor on the map and scroll up to zoom in. Click and drag the map to move around. Scroll down to zoom out. Click on a shape to see the facility’s name and results.
• Use the search bar: Type the name of your facility in the search bar and press “Enter” on your keyboard. Click the name of the facility you are looking for and select the shape on the map. If no matches are coming up for the facility, try simplifying your search. Sometimes the name of the facility on the map may be slightly different than what you know it as. For example, if you are looking for a high school in Maple Grove, just try typing “Maple Grove". You’ll then see a list of possible facilities and would select “Maple Grove Senior High".
• To select a different facility: Click the shape of the facility you were viewing to unselect it and choose another facility.

Shapes and colors

• You can change the size of the shapes by sliding the slider from 1(smallest) to 5 (largest).
• Shapes and colors are used to represent lead results. 
  • Red circles: Represent facilities that have at least one result that is 5 micrograms per liter (ug/L) or more. 
  • Green squares: Represent facilities that have at least one result with lead detected but less than 5 ug/L. 
  • Blue triangles: Represent facilities that reported results but that were non-detected (no lead present). 
  • Gray cross: Represent facilities that do not yet have results available.  See below for reasons why some facilities may not yet have data available.

Filters 
You can use the filters to change the display on the map. There are two filters available, and you can use one or both of the filters.

• Facility Type filter: If you are only interested in one type of location you can select school or child care center as an option and click “Apply.” To view all facilities, use “All.”
• Result Type Filter: This allows you to filter by result-type and availability. Select the category you want and click “Apply.” Categories correspond to the colors and shapes.

This map includes lead in drinking water results and remediation actions reported by early care and education facilities. Data is submitted to MDH using a template spreadsheet. 

• Child care centers, and public and charter schools are required to submit results to MDH annually. MDH is required to make submitted results publicly available on this web tool.
• If you need information on how to test for lead or how to report data to MDH you can use the Model Plan.
• Location data for this map comes from Minnesota Geospatial Commons. 
  • Family and Child Care Centers, Minnesota
  • School Program Locations, Minnesota, SY24-25

If you have selected a facility that has reported lead data, a table of results will appear below the map. 

Result
This is the number representing the lead result reported by the laboratory. 

• The level of lead is measured by micrograms per liter (ug/L) which is the same as parts per billion (ppb). 1 ug/L=1 ppb. One ppb is about one drop of water in a 10,000-gallon pool.
• No detect means that there was no lead detected by the laboratory.
• Remediation actions must be taken if a result was 5 ug/L or higher for any testing completed on or after August 1, 2023.

Collection type
When facilities collect water samples for a lead test there are several options for collecting the sample which include:

• First draw: These are samples collected after the water has been stagnant (unused) for 8-18 hours. This is done to mimic worst case lead concentrations caused during typical overnight closures. 
• Flushed: These are samples taken after letting the water run before collecting. These are typically taken to assess flushing programs that facilities may use to manage water quality within a building or to investigate sources of lead.
• Initial: Typically, a first draw sample collected during a round of monitoring.
• Follow-up: These are samples taken following a high result and/or remediation actions. These may be first draw or flushed samples depending on the type of remediation action chosen.

Fixture status
Describes how the fixture is currently used. The status displayed is what is reported by the facility. Status may have changed because of remediation. For example: A previously active fixture used for drinking water may be reported as inactive if it was taken offline as part of remediation.

• Active: A fixture currently in use.
• Inactive: A fixture that has been taken out of service either temporarily or permanently. A fixture that has been taken out of service due to a high lead result should be made inaccessible to children. MDH recommends posting signage on such fixtures.
• Consumption: A fixture that is used for drinking water, food, or formula preparation. An example is a drinking fountain or kitchen sink.
• Non-consumption: A fixture that is not used for drinking water, food, or formula preparation. An example might be a laboratory or mop sink. MDH recommends that if these fixtures are accessible for use by children they be posted as not for drinking.

Remediation action
If a result is 5 ppb or more, remediation action must be taken, and the fixture is to remain offline until remediated.  

Common remediation actions include: 

• Taking a fixture offline permanently. 
• Posting a fixture as not for drinking. 
• Removing and/or replacing a fixture. 
• Beginning a regular flushing (letting the water run) program.
• Cleaning aerators regularly. 
• Installing certified filters. 
• Other steps. 

Facilities must report remediation actions taken.

• Every facility may take a different approach to remediation depending on the scope of the issue. 
• Some facilities may take more than one action. 
• A fixture with lead over 5 ppb may not be used for consumption until a retest shows their remediation action was successful. 
• Facilities are responsible for maintaining any remediation actions that require ongoing maintenance.

Lead in drinking water typically represents very low exposure and does not typically require medical intervention or blood lead testing. If a parent has a concern about lead exposure, they should talk to their health care provider to determine if additional steps are needed. The priority is reducing exposure by reducing lead at the drinking water tap and from other sources.

• Elevated blood lead is rarely caused by drinking water sources alone. Exposure to lead paint and dust are the most common causes of elevated blood lead. Blood lead tests provide information about total lead exposure from all sources of lead that a person is exposed to.
• Resources and fact sheets about reducing lead exposure in drinking water can be found at Lead in Drinking Water.
• Resources and fact sheets about reducing lead from all source of exposure such as paint, dust, and soil can be found at Minnesota Department of Health: Lead Program.

There are many reasons a facility does not yet have data to show on the map. This does not mean that the facility has not tested or has done something wrong. If the facility you are interested in has does not have data available on the map you can reach out to MDH or the facility to ask about their testing. Some reasons data may not appear include:

• Facility may not be required to test if they are a private school, family child care programs, or other non-regulated organization. 
• Schools and child care centers are required to test once every 5 years. Depending on where they are in their testing cycle they may not have data that was required to be reported. For example: A facility that tested in 2022 might not test again until 2027.
• Although some facilities shared results from earlier rounds of testing, it is not required. Only results from samples collected after August 1, 2023, are required to be shared by schools.
• The requirement for child care centers to begin testing did not start until July 2024. Many of these facilities have completed plans to test and are in the process of testing. 
• Some facilities may have changes to their licensure status, ownership, or name changes.
• MDH staff may still be reviewing the submitted data. All data is reviewed before being submitted to the map. Due to the large number of facilities reporting and the small number of staff able to review, there may be a delay in seeing data show up on the map.
• MDH will be updating the map continually as data is reviewed.
• MDH will continue to do outreach to schools and child care centers to work toward having a complete map over the next 5 years.

You can click the name of the facility in the results table and click the “view data” icon (this icon looks like a list). This opens a pop-up window that will allow you to download data for an individual facility.