DEQ and DPHHS urge schools to test for lead in drinking water

Schools across Montana are testing their drinking water for lead ahead of the Dec. 31, 2021 deadline outlined in the DPHHS Administrative Rules of Montana regarding matters of public health in schools. Dozens of school districts have already received their results and are in the process of remediating plumbing fixtures after testing in some locations showed elevated levels of lead.

To ensure the water in Montana public schools is safe to drink, DPHHS requires all accredited K-12 schools to periodically sample all sinks and drinking fountains that could reasonably be used for human consumption....