Additional Information - Lead in School Drinking Water

Resources

Rules and Regulations

New RCWs

Other Lead Rules

  • The DOH's Office of Drinking Water oversees state and federal drinking water rules. Schools that own or operate their own water system must comply with requirements of the federal Lead and Copper Rule, EPA. We require these systems to sample for lead to minimize the risk of exposure from drinking water.
  • Most schools get their water from public water systems and are not obligated to meet the requirements of the Lead and Copper Rule. The 1988 federal Lead Contamination Control Act (LCCA) aims to reduce lead exposure and any health risks in drinking water at schools and child care centers. The focus of the LCCA is to remove drinking water coolers with lead-lined tanks. Although the LCCA includes monitoring and reporting requirements for schools, it was challenged in court and cannot be enforced.