Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water - FAQs

This information reflects the legislative requirements of RCW 28A.210.410  and RCW 43.70.830 through 43.70.845 to test school drinking water for lead.  Below are FAQs sorted into the following topics:

Legal Requirements | Initial Testing | Past Testing | After Testing | Remediation | School Action Plan

Legal Requirements

Which schools are required to have drinking water tested for lead?

Public K–12 school buildings built, or with all plumbing replaced, before 2016 are required to have drinking water tested for lead.

How often are schools required to have drinking water tested for lead?

Schools must have their drinking water tested for lead at least once between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2026. Retesting is required at least once every five years beginning July 1, 2026.

What laws do schools need to follow related to testing for lead in drinking water?

Schools must follow RCW 28A.210.410 and RCW 43.70.830, which focus on sampling, testing, remediation, and communicating about lead in school drinking water. To meet the legal requirements, sampling and testing must align with these RCWs and with the state Department of Health’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance.

We recognize that prior to 2021 many schools used guidance found in WAC 246-366A-130 to guide their lead in drinking water testing. However, the Legislature has not implemented this rule, and continues to delay doing so with a proviso since it was adopted. Further, this WAC does not align with the new laws or with the technical guidance. Please do not refer to this WAC for sampling and testing guidance. Schools still need to follow the RCWs and the technical guidance listed above, even if the Legislature removes the proviso in the future.

Initial Testing

What is meant by initial testing for lead in school drinking water?

Initial testing is testing all drinking water outlets for lead contamination that follows the technical guidance between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2026.

Who conducts water sampling and testing?

Schools have two options for sampling and testing for lead in drinking water:

• Partner with the state Department of Health (DOH) for sampling and testing.
• Contract for sampling and testing that follows DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance. Testing must be done by a state Department of Ecology accredited lab.

As of July 25, 2021, only DOH or a contractor can conduct water sampling to meet the legislative requirement. If school or district staff conducted water sampling between July 1, 2014, and July 25, 2021, and followed all other requirements of the technical guidance, your school meets the legal requirements for sampling and testing.

The school district decides who to partner with for sampling and testing. DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water program will contact each school district directly to find out your testing plans.

Does DOH charge for sampling and testing?

DOH does not charge for sampling and testing, but school staff time may be needed for coordinating with DOH water samplers.

What drinking water outlets need to be tested?

All drinking water outlets must be tested for lead. The legislation defines drinking water as “any water that students have access to where it is reasonably foreseeable that the water may be used for drinking, cooking, or food preparation.” A drinking water outlet (or outlet) is “any end point for delivery of drinking water, for example a tap, faucet, or fountain.”  

Water should be tested from:

• Drinking fountains
• Bottle fillers
• Classroom combination sinks and drinking fountains
• Home economics room sinks
• Taps, faucets, and kettle fillers in kitchens and cafeterias that are used for drinking, cooking, or preparing food
• Nurse’s office sinks
• Ice machines, if the ice is used for drinking, cooking, or preparing food

Water from outlets that people do not drink from do not need to be tested, including:

• Bathroom taps and faucets
• Science room and laboratory faucets
• Janitor’s closet sinks
• Eyewash stations
• Showers
• Shop taps and faucets
• Hose spigots Ice machines, if the ice is not used for drinking, cooking, or preparing food

 

Do both cold and hot water sources need to be tested for lead?

Only cold water sources need to be tested for lead. Public health experts recommend only using cold water for drinking or cooking.

When must water samples be collected?

• Samples must be collected the morning after a regular school day. That typically means collecting samples on Tuesday through Saturday (and not Sunday or Monday).
• Samples must be collected after at least 8 hours of stagnancy (water sitting still in pipes) but no longer than 18 hours, unless water is typically used outside of this stagnancy window on normal school days. For example, water may be more than 18 hours old at some infrequently used outlets.
• To meet the legal requirements, do not schedule water sampling during, or the day immediately after, a scheduled break (such as winter/spring/summer breaks, weekends, and holidays) or unscheduled break (such as inclement weather or snow days). Water sampling done at these times do not meet legislative requirements.
• DOH water samplers work Tuesday through Saturday and try to get to sites as early as possible, typically 5–6 a.m. (Tuesday–Friday). Arriving early helps our staff collect samples before school staff arrive and use water in the buildings. Samplers have more flexibility and can start later on Saturday mornings if all other requirements on timing listed above can still be met.

How should my school prepare for sampling?

• Ensure all staff, students, and parents are aware of the scheduled day for water sampling and understand that water cannot be used after the school is locked up for the night and until sample collection is completed the following morning. This may require scheduling sampling early in the morning before staff typically arrive.
• Do not shut off water outlets with a valve to prevent use. This is not representative of normal use and may increase lead levels on test results by releasing lead particulate.

Can my school partner with the local health jurisdiction (LHJ) for sampling and testing?

Yes, your local health jurisdiction (LHJ) is considered a contractor and you could partner with them for sampling and testing. They may be able to collect water samples and send them to an accredited lab for testing. However, LHJs are not required to do sampling and testing for schools in their jurisdiction. It is up to the LHJ to determine whether they can act as a contractor for sampling and testing. The LHJ and school district determine how the cost for sampling and testing will be covered.

Is there funding to pay for testing if schools choose to hire a contractor?

No. At this time, there is no funding to pay for or reimburse schools for sampling and testing done by a contractor. If cost is a concern, consider partnering with DOH for sampling and testing. DOH does not charge for sampling and testing, but school staff time may be needed for coordinating with DOH water samplers.

We tested our school’s drinking water for lead after July 1, 2014. Can our school partner with DOH for additional testing before July 1, 2026?

• If DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance was followed for sampling and testing after July 1, 2014, DOH does not provide additional testing of all drinking water outlets before July 1, 2026.
  • If your test results revealed elevated lead levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb), and you have completed remediation (changes to address elevated lead levels, such as installation of filters), you can request post-remediation testing from DOH. However, DOH is currently prioritizing initial testing. Availability of post-remediation testing is based on staffing capacity.
• If DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance was not followed for sampling and testing, it does not meet the legislative requirement and you can schedule initial testing with DOH before the June 30, 2026 deadline.

What kind of water sampling is required?

To meet the legal requirements, sampling must be done first draw, which means collecting the first water that comes out after the tap has not been used for 8–18 hours. This applies to testing done before and after the law went into effect on July 25, 2021. Flush sampling (turning on the water and letting it run to remove water that has been still in the pipes before collecting a sample) does not meet the legislative requirement.

Can my school schedule water sampling during summer break if we do pre-stagnation flushing 8–18 hours before the scheduled sampling time?

• Sampling during school breaks does not meet the legal requirements, even if you do pre-stagnation flushing first. Pre-stagnation flushing is running all taps in preparation for water sampling, then starting the 8–18 hours when the taps should not be used prior to sampling.
• Sampling done on the day immediately after the last day of school is acceptable. Do not do pre-stagnation flushing in this case, unless this is representative of normal use. That means pre-stagnation flushing is only acceptable before sampling if your school flushes all the taps every night.  

Can kitchen staff start work before sampling at the school is complete?

• DOH samplers try to complete water sampling before school staff are on site. If this is not feasible, we can coordinate to begin sampling in the kitchen to allow staff to start work on time.

What are the testing requirements if our school’s plumbing was partially replaced in 2016 or later?

• If plumbing was only partially replaced in a school building in 2016 or later, then all drinking water outlets in that building need to be tested for lead.
• If a school building had all plumbing replaced in 2016 or later, then the building does not need to be tested for lead in drinking water.

What if multiple samples from different outlets were collected into one sample bottle?

Water from each outlet must be collected into its own sample bottle. Water from multiple outlets should not be combined into one sample bottle. For example, if 30 outlets are sampled, there should be 30 collection bottles (one per outlet), each containing water from only one outlet.

What if the laboratory we contracted with for lead testing is not on the state Department of Ecology’s list of accredited labs for drinking water analyses?

Samples must be tested by a laboratory that is on the state Department of Ecology’s list of accredited labs to meet legal requirements. All testing must be done by a lab that is accredited at the time of testing, regardless of if testing was done before or after the law went into effect (July 25, 2021).

Should aerators be cleaned before water samples are collected? Should pipes be flushed before water samples are collected?

Aerators should not be cleaned in preparation for a sampling event. Water sampling is not recommended directly following pipe flushing. If either of these practices are scheduled, wait at least one week before water samples are collected.

How does a Tribal school partner with DOH for lead testing?

DOH welcomes any partnership with Tribal Nations on testing for lead in school drinking water as described in RCW 43.70.835. Though state-Tribal compact schools are not required to test for lead in school drinking water, schools can choose to request lead testing from DOH. DOH will work with you to determine how you would like to be involved in the program that best meets your school’s needs. If you’re interested in partnering with DOH to sample and test your school(s) or have questions about testing for lead in school drinking water, please reach out to leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov.  

Does DOH offer testing for early education, private K–12 schools, or higher education and colleges?

DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water program does not offer sampling and testing for these facilities. The laws (RCW 28A.210.410 and RCW 43.70.830) only require testing in public K–12 schools. For resources related to early education and child care centers, visit DOH’s Lead Testing in Child Care Facilities webpage

Past Testing

My school district partnered with the state Department of Health (DOH) for voluntary lead testing between January 2018 and March 2020. Do we need to test again by June 30, 2026?

• No. If DOH tested your school(s) for lead in drinking water between January 2018 and March 2020, you do not need to test again by June 30, 2026. Retesting is required at least once every five years beginning July 1, 2026.

Note: The action level for lead was lowered when the legislation was implemented in July 2021. Any outlet with an elevated lead level greater than 5 parts per billion (ppb) requires mitigation or remediation following DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance. Additionally, for a lead test result that reveals an elevated lead level (greater than 5 ppb) at one or more drinking water outlets, the school's governing body shall adopt a school action plan. See the Action Plan Requirements webpage and the School Action Plan section of this webpage for more information.

My school already tested for lead in drinking water after July 1, 2014. What else is required by June 30, 2026?

• If you hired a contractor for testing, check the Lead Testing for School Drinking Water Flowchart to ensure your past testing follows DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance.
  • If your school district’s sampling and testing did not follow the technical guidance, your school must be tested following the technical guidance by June 30, 2026.
  • If your school district’s sampling and testing aligns with DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance and meets the legal requirements, DOH will request your test results via email.  
• For all testing done after July 1, 2014:
  • Your school is required to take corrective action (mitigation or remediation) for any outlet with an elevated lead level greater than 5 parts per billion (ppb). The action level for lead was lowered when the legislation was implemented in July 2021. If your school’s water was tested before July 25, 2021, the new action level still applies. See the Actions Needed After Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water webpage for details.
  • For a lead test result that reveals an elevated lead level (greater than 5 ppb) at one or more drinking water outlets, the school's governing body shall adopt a school action plan. See the Action Plan Requirements webpage and the School Action Plan section of this webpage for more information.
  • A school shall communicate annually with students' families and staff about lead contamination in drinking water. The school shall consult with the department or a local health jurisdiction (LHJ) on the contents of the communication. Schools may choose to use or modify the community messaging template. Annual communication is not required if initial testing, or once post-remediation testing, does not detect an elevated lead level at any drinking water outlet. Refer to RCW 28A.210.410 and the Actions Needed After Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water webpage for additional details.
  • Reach out to the High Performance Schools Coordinator at the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with questions about the school action plan and lead communication.

What if school staff collected my school’s water samples for lead testing?

• If school or district staff collected water samples between July 1, 2014 and July 25, 2021 and followed all other requirements of DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance, your school meets the legal requirement for testing.
• If school or district staff collected water samples after July 25, 2021, your school does not meet the legal requirement for testing. Sampling after July 25, 2021 must be done by either DOH or by a contractor to meet the legal requirement.

What kind of collection bottles are required for water sampling? 

Regardless of who collected water samples and when samples were collected, water samples must be collected in 250 mL (milliliter) bottles from an accredited laboratory.

After Testing

What does our school need to do after testing?

The actions you need to take after testing will depend on your lead test results. See the Actions Needed After Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water webpage for more information.

What is mitigation and remediation?

Mitigation is taking immediate action to stop access to drinking water with elevated lead levels. Mitigation actions include shutting off water to a drinking water outlet, taking it out of use, or restricting it to a specific use only. Schools may choose to use mitigation as a long-term solution instead of remediating. For example, schools can choose to permanently:

• Shut off water to a drinking water outlet.
• Take the drinking water outlet out of service by bagging or taping off the area and posting a sign.
• Mark an outlet as “hand wash only” or “hand wash only – not for drinking or preparing food.” This is not an option for outlets with lead levels greater than 15 parts per billion (ppb). Examine food safety requirements for food preparation areas before considering this option in school kitchens.

Remediation is taking action to lower lead levels in your school’s drinking water to 5 or fewer ppb. Remediation activities can include:

• Replacing the fixture
• Installing a filter
• Replacing the plumbing

If you plan to continue using outlets with lead levels greater than 5 ppb for drinking water, they require remediation and additional testing to show lead levels have reduced to 5 or fewer ppb. See DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance to learn more about remediation options.

What are the mitigation and remediation requirements for each lead level?

Lead level	What your school needs to do
0 to 5 parts per billion (ppb)	No action is required.
Greater than 5, up to 15 ppb	Remediation is required. If possible, stop using all outlets with lead levels greater than 5 ppb and provide an alternative source of water until remediation is completed according to your school’s action plan. Some outlets may be restricted to a specific use only, such as “hand wash only,” until remediation is completed. Examine food safety requirements for food preparation areas before considering this option in school kitchens.
Greater than 15 ppb	Mitigation is required. Immediately shut off the water or block access to any outlet with lead levels greater than 15 ppb. These outlets require mitigation until remediation is completed according to your school’s action plan.

What if the contracted lab reported results in a unit of measurement that isn’t parts per billion (ppb)?

If your test results come back in another unit of measurement that isn’t parts per billion (ppb)—such as parts per million (ppm), milligrams per liter (mg/L), or micrograms per liter (μg/L)—your results are still acceptable. Because the law defines lead levels in ppb, convert your results to ppb to find out if you need to take action after receiving test results.

Refer to the table below to see the action levels that correspond to the unit of measurement on your test results. You can also use an online unit conversion calculator to convert your results to ppb. Reach out to leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov if you need assistance with conversions.

Parts per billion (ppb)	Micrograms per liter (μg/L)	Micrograms per liter (μg/L)	Parts per million (ppm)
5 ppb	5 μg/L	0.005 mg/L	0.005 ppm
15 ppb	15 μg/L	0.015 mg/L	0.015 ppm

If my school partnered with the state Department of Health for testing, how and when do I get the lead test results?

• School superintendents and the facilities/maintenance point of contact will receive an email from DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water program with lead results about 4 to 6 weeks after the entire school site was sampled. Depending on school size and number of drinking water outlets, DOH may need to schedule multiple site visits to complete sampling, which can lengthen this timeline.
• When DOH tests multiple schools within a district, each school’s results will be reported to the district separately, as they become available.

How long does DOH keep test records for lead in school drinking water?

DOH stores these test records for 50 years.

Remediation

What is remediation?

See description and examples of remediation in the After Testing section.

Is there funding available for remediation?

Yes. Contact the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to request funding for remediation activities. The OSPI Lead in Water Remediation Grant is a potential source of funding.  The grant is available in OSPI’s iGrants system. 

The OSPI grant covers:

• Replacement of drinking water fixtures
• Replacement of lead-contaminated pipes
• Water filtering systems for fixtures that are cold water only
• Contract labor costs

Contact OSPI’s High Performance Schools Coordinator for more information on remediation funding.

What does my school need to do after replacing fixtures for remediation? 

There are two important steps to finish the fixture replacement process:

1. Condition the fixture(s).
2. Do follow-up sampling and testing.

See DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance for more information.

When can I turn water back on after remediating outlets that tested greater than 15 parts per billion (ppb)?

Additional testing must be done after remediation (post-remediation testing) to confirm that lead levels are within the acceptable range before turning water back on.

Lead level in post-remediation test results	School actions
0 to 5 ppb	You can turn the water back on and use it for drinking.
Greater than 5, up to 15 ppb	You can turn the water back on and use it for hand washing only. If you turn it back on, post a “hand wash only” sign. To use the outlet for drinking water, further remediation and testing is required to confirm that the lead level has reduced to 5 or fewer ppb.
Greater than 15 ppb	Leave water off and continue remediation.

Does the state Department of Health (DOH) offer post-remediation retesting? 

Though DOH is currently prioritizing initial testing that is required at least once before June 30, 2026, we may be able to accommodate post-remediation retesting upon request. Reach out to leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov to make this request.

We remediated, but retesting shows our lead levels are still greater than 5 parts per billion. What do we do now?

Refer to DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance for guidance on additional remediation options. Reach out to leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov if you need support.

School Action Plan

When is a school action plan required?

For a lead test result that reveals an elevated lead level (greater than 5 ppb) at one or more drinking water outlets, the school's governing body shall adopt a school action plan. You can use the Action Plan Template to develop your school’s action plan.

Can one action plan include more than one school in a district?

Yes, an action plan can include more than one school in the same district. The Action Plan Template has this option if you’d like to include more than one school in your district.

What must be included in a school action plan?

The school action plan must: 

• Be developed in consultation with the state Department of Health (DOH) or a local health jurisdiction (LHJ) regarding the technical guidance, and with the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) regarding funding for remediation activities.
• Describe mitigation measures implemented since lead test results were received.
• Include a schedule of remediation activities, including use of filters, that adhere to the technical guidance. The schedule may be based on the availability of state or federal funding for remediation activities.
• Include post-remediation retesting to confirm that remediation activities have reduced lead concentrations at drinking water outlets to below the elevated lead level.

You can use the Action Plan Template to develop or update your school’s action plan.