Statewide initiative makes Utah first to test every school for lead

Photo: Photo by Hamid Siddiqi

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has become the first state in the nation to test all K-12 schools for lead contamination in drinking water, achieving a significant public health milestone.

The comprehensive testing initiative, coordinated by the Utah Division of Drinking Water’s Lead-Free Learning Initiative, evaluated water samples from 1,158 public, charter, private schools and childcare facilities statewide. The unprecedented effort was supported by extensive participation from school districts and community organizations.

“The school districts and community partners have been instrumental in reaching this all-time high participation rate,” said Dr. Nathan Lunstad, director of Utah’s Division of Drinking Water. “We are glad to have community support in providing clean drinking water.”

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that can severely impact human health, especially in children, who are more susceptible to its effects. According to health experts, exposure can lead to decreased cognitive abilities, lower IQ, diminished attention spans, and poor academic performance`.

Utah began voluntary testing of school drinking water for lead in 2017. Mandatory testing was established during the 2022 legislative session with the passage of House Bill 21, sponsored by former state Rep. Steve Handy and Sen. Jani Iwamoto. The legislation required testing every drinking water tap in public and private schools and established an action threshold of 5 parts per billion.

“Every child in Utah should have access to clean, lead-free drinking water in their homes and places of learning,” Handy said. “While protecting children from lead exposure had long been a priority, it took several years to gain the support and funding needed for legislation. Today, Utah is leading the nation in taking proactive steps for the health and safety of our youngest residents.”

Schools participating in the Lead-Free Learning Initiative received free testing kits, including shipping costs, and were eligible for funding to address fixtures exceeding lead limits. In most cases, resolving elevated lead levels involved simple fixture replacements.

Dr. Alejandra Maldonado, state toxicologist with Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services, underscored the broader implications for public health.

“Parents want to know that their children are safe not only where they live but where they learn and play,” Maldonado said. “Having every school’s drinking water tested for lead is an incredible achievement for public health and Utah. When you consider the number of children in over 1,100 public schools and the positive long-term health outcomes from preventing lead exposure, this is something all Utahns can be proud of.”

Although the results from the testing are still under evaluation, the extensive sampling effort is an essential move toward safeguarding children’s health. According to the Summit County Health Department, the achievement highlights Utah’s commitment to ensuring safe drinking water and the successful collaboration between state agencies, schools, and local communities.

Additional information can be found at LeadFreeSchools.utah.gov.