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Program Update, May 2026
The next round of mandatory testing for lead contamination in school drinking water is approaching. This first 5-year retesting cycle begins July 1, 2026, and continues through June 30, 2031.
Every school built or with all plumbing replaced prior to 2016 must complete another round of mandatory testing for potential lead contamination in drinking water. Do not retest until the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
About the Program
In 2021, the Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB 1139) (PDF) to address lead in drinking water concerns and decrease lead exposure among children. The bill supports the guidance of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that there is no safe level of lead exposure for children or adults. Even low levels of lead exposure can cause permanent cognitive, academic, and behavioral difficulties in children. Learn more on the CDC's Testing for Lead Poisoning in Children web page.
E2SHB 1139 Chapter 43.70.830 RCW, Chapter 43.70.835 RCW, Chapter 43.70.840 RCW, Chapter 43.70.845 RCW, Chapter 28A.210.410 RCW requires initial testing of drinking water outlets in school buildings built or with all plumbing replaced before 2016 for the presence and level of lead contamination initially by June 30, 2026. It also requires testing every five years starting July 1, 2026. Sampling and testing for lead must be completed either by DOH or a contractor. School staff cannot collect water samples.
Schools must notify the school community of lead test results and develop action plans for remediation if test results exceed the action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb).
For more details on the law and testing requirements, see testing for lead in school drinking water, frequently asked questions.
For Schools
2025-2026 - Two-year Sampling Plan
We identify schools for sampling and testing in the two-year sampling. Before we can include a school in the sampling plan, we must contact the school to determine if they contracted or plan to contract for sampling and testing.
We will continue to update the two-year Sampling Plan (PDF) as we learn more about each school’s testing status.
For more information, please contact leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov.
Lead Testing Requirements
Public K–12 school buildings built or with all plumbing replaced before 2016 are required to test drinking water outlets for lead. Schools must have drinking water outlets tested for lead at least once between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2026, and then retested once every five years thereafter, starting July 1, 2026.
Sampling and testing for lead must be completed either by DOH or a contractor. School staff cannot collect water samples.
When and How to Complete Testing
DOH will reach out to superintendents from the leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov email account to plan lead testing.
DOH Option
- DOH does not charge for sampling and testing.
- School staff must accompany the sampler during early morning or weekend sampling visits.
Contractor Option
- Schools are responsible for contractor sampling and laboratory testing costs.
- Schools must ensure that contractors:
- Conduct sampling in alignment with the DOH technical guidance.
- Use a lab accredited by the Washington State Department of Ecology to analyze water samples.
Sampling and Testing Process
Sampling and testing for lead involves several steps.
- Determine which outlets are used for drinking and food preparation. All drinking water outlets in school buildings built or with all plumbing replaced before 2016 must be tested. Drinking water means “any water that students have access to where it is reasonable that the water may be used for drinking, cooking, or food preparation.”
- Sampling must occur when school is operating on a normal use schedule. Sampling Tuesday through Saturday is ideal.
- Collect first-draw samples – drinking water must sit in the pipe at least 8 hours but no more than 18 hours for accurate test results (unless it’s a fixture that is typically low use, then longer than 18 hours is acceptable).
- Do not remove or clean aerators.
- Do not flush water outlets before sampling.
- Collect samples before any water is used in the school building.
- Collect samples in 250 mL bottles
The technical guidance (PDF) provides more information on sampling, testing, next steps after receiving results, and remediation options.
Test Result and Next Steps
When test results reveal an elevated lead level greater than 5 ppb at any drinking water outlet, schools must take action to remediate these outlets. Mitigation (short-term) measures are to be taken immediately upon receiving test results.
6 ppb through 15 ppb
The law does not require outlets with lead levels greater than 5 ppb, through 15 ppb be shut off nor taken out of service. However, schools are encouraged to use their best judgement based on the number of taps with elevated lead levels, student and staff safety, and water accessibility in the school when deciding whether to continue using outlets with elevated lead levels. If possible, do not use all taps with lead levels greater than 5 ppb, or provide an alternative source of water until remediation is completed under the school’s action plan.
Exceeding 15 ppb
Outlets with lead concentrations exceeding 15 ppb must be shut off immediately. Shutting off an outlet/fixture can be temporary but can become the school's permanent remediation plan.
Mitigation
Mitigation is an immediate, temporary action, possibly turned into permanent remediation, such as shutting off an outlet or restricting use of fixture with signage like “handwash only.”
Remediation
Remediation is a permanent control measure to reduce exposure to lead in drinking water.
A school has several options to address outlets with elevated lead levels in their action plan. Remediation will be different for each school due to factors like age and overall health of the building, number of outlets testing high, and availability of funding. Remediation options can be found in the technical guidance (PDF).
Action Plan
Each school with actionable lead levels (above 5 ppb) in their drinking water is required to create an action plan. The action plan must be developed within 6 months of receiving test results and in accordance with the technical guidance (PDF). DOH has an Action Plan Template (Word) for schools to use.
What information is required in the action plan?
- Mitigation (immediate) action steps implemented since the lead test results were received.
- Remediation (long term) action steps planned and the planned date of completion. Note: Remediation actions and completion date may be based on availability of state or federal funding.
- A post-remediation sampling and testing plan to confirm remediation actions reduced concentrations of lead at drinking water outlets to 5 ppb or less.
Remediation Reimbursement
The Lead in Water Remediation Reimbursement grant program through the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) helps schools replace drinking water fixtures or pipes that test high for lead contamination. Schools can use grant funds for fixture replacement, pipe replacement, and filtering systems. This grant is reimbursement only. OSPI cannot approve grant applications for expenses already incurred.
For more information and potential remediation cost reimbursement, see OSPI's Lead in Water Remediation Grant.
For Parents and Community
Children who are six years old and younger are most susceptible to the effects of lead. Their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults’, and their brains and nervous systems are more sensitive to the damaging effects of lead. Even at very low levels of exposure to lead, children may experience effects including lower IQ levels, reduced attention span, hyperactivity, poor classroom performance, or other harmful physical and behavioral effects.
A blood lead test is the only way to know if a child has high blood lead levels. While drinking water is typically not a main cause of high lead levels in children, it is important to prevent exposure from all potential lead sources. Lead exposure may not be “reversible,” but it's also not a guarantee that health effects will happen. And there are ways to support child development to help "offset" exposure, such as nurturing environments, good nutrition, physical activity, and good sleep. Our testing program at schools helps to reduce lead exposure by identifying and repairing water fixtures that test high for lead.
For more information and guidance about lead testing please visit our lead testing information page and the Family Quick Guide: Lead and your Child (PDF).
Resources
For questions, please email leadfreekids@doh.wa.gov.