DOH testing drinking water for lead at schools

Our agency’s Healthy Homes and Communities staff are collecting samples of drinking water to identify lead in public schools around Washington. This work marks an important milestone in the implementation of RCW 28A210.410, Lead in School Drinking Water.

The previous lead in school drinking water program was voluntary and put on hold in early 2020 when many schools transitioned to distance learning. During the hiatus, the state Legislature made testing in all schools mandatory. It also enacted a stricter threshold for remediation and limits on who can perform sampling.

DOH is working to develop technical guidelines for schools and contractors and with Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction to communicate with schools about these changes in the requirements and guide them in remediation efforts.

For more information visit DOH’s lead testing in schools webpage or email leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov.