Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act Notification

In 2022, the Missouri Legislature passed the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (RSMo 160.077), which sets standards for lead concentrations in school drinking water. The law requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation and monitoring of all potable drinking water outlets that are used or could potentially be used for drinking, food preparation, cooking, or for cleaning cooking and eating utensils in each of the District's school buildings. The deadline under the law is August of 2024, but Kirkwood Schools completed an inventory and testing of all water sources during the summer of 2023. 

Under the law, results are communicated directly with families within 7 days via the email they have on file. Results are also required to be posted on the District website and reported to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS). DHSS is currently developing reporting methods and procedures.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently has a lead drinking water standard limit of 15 micrograms per liter (μg/L) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 μg/L limit of lead in water. 

Results as reported are included below. 

According to the CDC: Lead is a toxic metal that is persistent in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time. Risk will vary depending on the individual, the chemical conditions of the water and the amount consumed. For example, infants who drink formula prepared with lead-contaminated tap water may be at a higher risk of exposure because of the large volume of water they consume relative to their body size. Bathing and showering should be safe for you and your children because human skin does not absorb lead in water.

Additional information and resources are listed below: