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 at all potable drinking water outlets used or potentially be used for drinking, food preparation, and cooking or cleaning utensils. The deadline under the law is August of 2024, but Keytesville R-III completed an inventory and testing of all water sources during summer of 2023.

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 (ug/L) of lead in water. However, Missouri law requires that all Missouri schools achieve a 5 ug/L limit of lead in water.

I am including the results and notification from our testing company. The second round of testing has been done and we are awaiting the results. Signage has been placed in the affected areas to provide guidance until further results received and clear understanding of what method of remediation would be required. Upon completion a remediation plan will be developed and placed on the school’s website.

More information can be found here.

Sincerely,

William W. Perkins Superintendent