Steelville School District

The Missouri Legislature passed the Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act in the spring of 2022. Lead is a toxic metal that can be harmful to human health even at low exposure levels. Lead is persistent, and it can bio- accumulate in the body over time.

Young children, infants, and fetuses are particularly vulnerable to lead because the physical and behavioral effects of lead occur at lower exposure levels in children than in adults. A dose of lead that would have little effect on an adult can have a significant effect on a child. In children, low levels of exposure have been linked to damage to the central and peripheral nervous system, learning disabilities, shorter stature, impaired hearing, and impaired formation and function of blood cells.

Provisions of the Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act dictates that during the 2023-24 school year, all schools must provide drinking water that has a lead concentration level below five (5) parts per billion (ppb). On or before January of 2024, schools must identify all outlets for drinking water or for all cooking purposes and then develop a plan for testing of those water sources. Before students return to school in August of 2024, all testing must be done and a plan developed for any needed remediation. This plan must be publicized.

Steelville R-3 has been proactive in identifying all water sources so that timelines can be met. The identified water sources were tested initially in November and the district has worked since then to effectively remediate those water sources that failed to meet the prescribed threshold for lead.

Initially, of the 130 samples received from Steelville R-3, (65 water sources) 16 were identified as testing over the threshold of 5 parts per billion (ppb). Often, the first sample was over the threshold, but the second was under. In a few instances, both samples were reported as over the threshold.

According to the protocol outlined in RSMo Section 160.077, remediation steps occur in this order:

1. Change the faucet or outlet itself as sometimes particulates settle and accumulate in the outlet. Once replaced, the outlet would be retested. If the tests are no longer over the threshold, the outlet is again considered safe.

2. If the problem is not in the outlet itself, then an approved filter may be installed while further testing is done to determine the source of the contamination.

3. If the internal piping is thought to be the source of the contamination, then replacing that piping is the next step in remediation. Retesting would then occur.

4. If the external piping from the point of water origin is thought to be the source of the contamination, then replacing that piping is the next step in remediation. Retesting would then occur.

In the ensuing months, the District has worked to provide effective remediation for those water sources that failed to meet compliance standards. In some cases, that meant installing inline filters, changing faucets or water lines. We are happy to announce that as of our March 02, 2023 re-test, only two water sources continue to be out of compliance. Both of those water sources have now been shut off and the water faucet/drinking fountain taken away. In areas when first draw sample is over the limit but second sample is in compliance, those sources have been designated “not for drinking purposes” and to exercise an abundance of caution, staff members and students are advised to let the tap run before water is used to wash hands or dishes.

Steelville R-3 takes the issue of lead in drinking water seriously as the health risks are well documented. We will continue to monitor water sources throughout the district to make sure we maintain compliance.

It is important to remember that this legislation applies to water supplied for drinking and food preparation/ cleanup. It does not apply to showers, handwashing stations or toilet flushing.