If the drinking water in your schools has not yet been tested for lead, you do not need to develop an action plan at this time. Whether you will need an action plan in the future will depend on your schools’ test results.
If the drinking water in your schools has been tested, and test results reveal elevated lead levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb) at any outlet used for drinking or cooking in your school(s), you must develop an action plan in consultation with DOH or your local health jurisdiction. DOH created an Action Plan Template (Word) that schools can use.
The action plan must meet the following requirements:
- The plan should be developed in accordance with DOH’s Lead in School Drinking Water Technical Guidance (PDF).
- If your school has an existing action plan, you have the option of updating the existing plan instead of creating a new one.
- Before you officially adopt your action plan, it must be shared publicly, with opportunity for public comment.
- If testing occurred between July 1, 2014, and July 25, 2021, the deadline for adoption of your action plan was March 31, 2022.
- For testing that occurred after July 25, 2021, the deadline for adopting your action plan is six months after you receive elevated lead test results.
In addition, the action plan must include:
- Mitigation measures implemented since the lead test results were received (like shutting off outlets or marking as "hand wash only").
- A schedule of remediation activities, including use of filters, that adhere to the technical guidance. The schedule may be based on the availability of state or federal funding for remediation activities.
Note: For a potential source of funding, see OSPI's Lead in Water Remediation Grant. - A plan for post-remediation sampling and testing to confirm remediation activities have reduced lead concentrations at drinking water outlets to 5 or fewer ppb.