The State Water Resources Control Board is requiring water systems to provide lead sampling services to K-12 schools upon request by school officials.
Under the requirement, testing is voluntary for schools, but if the schools make a written request, the community water systems must collect the samples within three months and report the results back to the school within two business days. Sampling locations can include drinking fountains, cafeteria and food preparation areas, and reusable water bottle filling stations.
The community water systems are responsible for the costs associated with collecting drinking water samples, analyzing them and reporting results through this new program. In addition, the State Water Board’s Division of Financial Assistance will have some funding available to assist with addressing lead found in tests, with a particular focus on schools in disadvantaged communities.
To download a helpful guide for mutual water companies that receive questions regarding lead sampling, click here.
For more background on this requirement, click here.