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Safe Water at School

Safe Water at School

In 2022, the Missouri legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially being used for drinking, food preparation and cooking or cleaning utensils. The deadline under the law is August 1, 2024.

Learn More: Missouri Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

In an effort to keep students and staff safe, and better understand our facilities, Lindbergh Schools went above and beyond the requirements of the law by inventorying and testing every single water source (potable and non-potable) on each campus. This testing took place March 15-22, and was conducted by Environmental Operations Inc. (EOI) following a public bidding process. 

EOI began testing at Lindbergh Early Childhood Education, and worked up to the high school level, as prioritized in RSMO 160.077. Testing was conducted on an agreed upon timeline with the firm providing the district test results within the time frame set forth for publication and subsequent notification of lead levels. 

Test results were provided to the district on June 7, 2024, and we are communicating with all staff and families in compliance with RSMo 160.077. Under law, testing results must be communicated directly with families, posted on the district website and reported to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).

Though the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb) of lead in water, the new “Get the Lead Out” standard requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ppb limit of lead in water. 

Testing By the Numbers

    • 1,316 water outlets were tested across the district. 

    • 89% (1,177) test samples overall meet the new Missouri statutory level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) or less. These test samples include several water sources not designed for consumption, including outside hose fixtures and janitorial sinks.   

    • Less than  2% of water outlets tested were potable water sources (water for drinking or kitchen use) that did not meet the new standard.

View Lindbergh Schools Lead in Water Test Report

Testing Procedures

  • The EPA standard for acceptable lead levels in drinking water prior to legislative approval of RSMo 160.077 was less than 15 ppb (parts per billion).

  • The Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act now requires that school building water sources contain a lead content of less than 5 ppb.

  • If all tested water sources in a building test less than 5 ppb, that building will not be required to test again for a five year period.

  • If a water source is identified to be producing lead levels greater than 5 ppb, annual testing will be required for that building until remediation efforts are proven successful.

  • The district is only responsible for testing water sources that are defined as drinking water sources or water sources utilized for food preparation; however, Lindbergh Schools tested all water sources in order to better understand each facility and keep students and staff safe.

  • All non-applicable water sources will require signage to be installed in an effort to indicate the water is non-potable and not intended to be a source of drinking water.

Remediation

Drinking Fountains

Through the testing process, three drinking fountains were identified as having a lead count of more than 5 ppb. These drinking fountains were immediately turned off, and replacement filters were ordered and installed on each. Each fixture will be retested to ensure successful remediation before the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Kitchen Sinks

Replacement faucets are being sourced for all kitchen sinks testing higher than 5 ppb. The new faucets will be installed before the start of the 2024-25 school year, and each fixture will be retested to ensure successful remediation.

Labeling Non-Potable Water Sources

All other fixtures that are not sources of drinking water will be labeled “Non-Potable Water: Do Not Drink,” in order to ensure safety and awareness for our community.

 

Test Results By Building

All samples came back below the new “Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act” standard of 5 parts per billion, with the following exceptions. 

Please note that water sources are sorted into two categories: 

  • Potable Samples: Water is used for drinking, preparing food, or cleaning eating utensils

  • Non Potable Samples: Water sources not intended for drinking, preparing food, or cleaning eating utensils.

PPB = Parts Per Billion. For reference, 5 parts per billion is approximately 0.0000005% of the tested sample.