Are Your Schools and Community Complying with New Regulations in Drinking Water Testing Laws?
Today, we know lead for the dangerous toxin it is. But before science delivered the frightening facts about lead’s impact on human health, this heavy metal was widely used across industries — in everything from house paints and gasoline to the pipes that bring drinking water into homes and businesses.
In spite of progress driven by federal and state laws prohibiting its use in many applications, lead remains a very real public health concern today. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20% of human exposure to lead comes from drinking water. And with an estimated 9 million U.S. homes still served by legacy lead pipes, people remain at risk.
Federal Regulations
Since 1991, the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule has regulated lead and copper in public drinking water systems. On October 8, 2024, the EPA issued Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) to further reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
The LCRI requires drinking water systems across the country to identify and replace lead pipes within 10 years. The new rule also requires more rigorous testing of drinking water to better identify communities most at risk and sets a lower threshold for communities to take action.
Water systems must begin complying with the provisions of the LCRI three years following the publication of the final rule in the Federal Register (expected in late 2027).
State Regulations
Going beyond federal regulations, many states have enacted stricter laws with lower limits to ensure safe drinking water in schools. For example, in 2024, new water testing requirements took effect in Missouri as part of the 2022 Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077).
The Act requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation and monitoring at all water outlets that could potentially be used for drinking, food preparation and cooking or cleaning utensils.
Per the Act, beginning in the 2023-24 school year and for each subsequent school year, each school in Missouri shall provide drinking water with a lead concentration level below 5 parts per billion (ppb).
Initial testing for all school drinking water outlets in Missouri was required to be complete by August 1, 2024 or the first day of school (whichever was later). Testing must be completed annually thereafter. New or replaced plumbing pipes, fittings, fixtures, or other components must be tested prior to being placed into service to ensure the remediation was effective.
Missouri is just one example of states that have enacted stricter limits for lead exposure among children. Beyond state and federal laws, local ordinances may also impact your water testing activities. It is important to do the necessary research to ensure your facility complies with all applicable regulations.
Trust a Lab Leader
When it comes to human health and compliance with the law, it pays to partner with a leader like Industrial Inspection & Analysis (IIA).
Our St. Louis lab has been a trusted testing provider for nearly a century. We offer an array of other environmental testing, including drinking water, storm water, and waste water runoff/discharge for municipalities. Our ISO-accredited lab provides material and product testing services and chemical analyses. We serve a variety of industries, and our labs are filled with knowledgeable, impartial, and enthusiastic professionals ready to work with you.
We can help you navigate complex and ever-changing regulations. And our fast, accurate testing will help you quickly determine if remedial action is needed. The team at IIA is committed to helping you get the lead out and keep your community safe.
