Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water

water fountains at a school

There is currently no known lead blood level for children without some level of risk. Lead exposure in children may cause adverse health effects such as brain and neurological development, behavioral problems, reproductive complications, and impaired growth.

One source of lead exposure may be drinking water caused by plumbing pipes, fittings, fixtures, solder, flux, or other components made with or containing lead. Over the last few decades, actions have been taken to reduce or remove lead and lead exposure in plumbing components through the Safe Water Drinking Act and subsequent amendments. However, in 2022, Missouri Legislation took a step forward in an additional effort to further reduce lead exposure in children by passing the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077) which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. This Act requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially be used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. In addition this Act, Missouri Legislation also allocated $27 million to support schools in reducing lead concentrations in schools.  

The Department of Health and Senior Services will continue its effort to provide information and resources available to schools as they become available.

Laws and Regulations

Guidance

Lead Health Publications and Education Material

List of Approved Laboratories

Funding

The State of Missouri has allocated a one-time amount of $27 million to distribute to public school districts to support lead reduction in drinking water as mandated by the Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077). This Act sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water and requires a drinking water outlet inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at drinking water outlets.

The Department of Health and Senior Services has established eligibility and distribution criteria as required by state statute and funding authority. Following are the eligibility criteria for fund distribution.

  1. Funds are available to public school and affiliated early education programs receiving state funding.
  2. Each school district is eligible to receive a minimum award of $5,000.00
  3. The maximum eligible award per district is based on the student enrollment during the 2022-2023 school year. Disadvantaged school districts are to be prioritized for this funding opportunity; prioritization is achieved by funding disadvantaged schools at a higher proportion of the per-student funds.
    1. Disadvantaged school districts are eligible for $61.40 per student. A disadvantaged school district is defined in RSMo 160.077 as:
      • More than 70% of students in the district qualify for free and reduced lunch, OR
      • 25% or greater of households within a county that the school district serves are below federal poverty guidelines.
    2. All other school districts are eligible for $20.47 per student.

Public schools can be reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred between March 3, 2021, and December 31, 2024. Public schools will be required to apply for reimbursement to receive such funds.

Reporting

The Department of Health and Senior Services is currently developing reporting methods and procedures. Please continue to monitor for updates.