January 8, 2024

Dear Parent or Guardian:

In accordance with a new state law, Springfield Public Schools has begun a testing program to check for the presence of lead in drinking water at schools. As test results are received, we will communicate with you if any source of drinking water in your child’s school has a lead concentration level in excess of 5 parts per billion (ppb). 

Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act requires Missouri school districts to test drinking water for lead contamination and to take corrective action to ensure drinking water in schools has a lead concentration level below 5 ppb. This sets a much higher standard than currently required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which is 15 ppb.

The source of lead in water is typically from materials and components associated with service lines and plumbing. If testing indicates a water source is not compliant, SPS will take remedial action, such as installing filters or replacing piping or fixtures, to ensure drinking water meets the 5 ppb requirement.

The following are among the required steps SPS will take to ensure compliance with the new, higher standard and the current status for each step:

• Create an inventory of water outlets used for drinking/cooking.
•  Completed 
• Create a plan for testing water outlets and make the plan available to the public.
• Completed
• Perform testing at all schools.
• In progress. All sampling should be completed by Feb. 24, 2024, except for exterior concessions, which will be completed in the spring. 
• Make test results, remediation plans and general information about the health effects of lead contamination available on the district website.
• Within two weeks after receiving test results
• If test results exceed 5 ppb, SPS will provide written communication to parents and staff at that particular school, outlining the test results, planned remediation steps and information about the health effects of lead contamination and community resources.
• Within seven business days after receiving test results
• Complete all necessary remediation steps.
• Before Aug. 1, 2024
• Submit annual testing results to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
• Before Aug. 1 each year

Water testing results will be posted at www.sps.org/GetLeadOut along with other information and resources. Information about the health effects of lead exposure for children is provided here by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Travis Shaw

Deputy Superintendent of Operations