December 8, 2023

In 2022, Missouri Legislation took a step forward to reduce lead exposure in Missouri children by passing the Get the Lead out of School Drinking Water Act (Section 160.077, RSMo). This Act sets a new standard in Missouri for lead concentrations in school drinking water, which is lower than the lead action level set nationally by the Environmental Protection Agency for public water systems. The Act requires schools to conduct inventory, sampling, remediation, and monitoring at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially be used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils in a school building. 

Ladue Schools has begun the process of testing each possible drinking and food preparation source in our schools and buildings. Samples will be tested to determine if the lead concentration in the water is above the required action level of five parts per billion (5 ppb), which is equal to 5 milligrams per liter. The 5 ppb level required by the state is below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended action level of 15 ppb. 

The results of these tests will be posted per guidelines as recommended by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Guidelines.