March 29, 2023. On January 18, 2023, Assemblyman Chris Holden introduced AB 249 requiring lead testing by public water systems at schools (defined as pre-K through 12th grade) built before 2010. Testing would be required for all school faucets. Testing would be required by January 1, 2027. If results exceed five parts per billion (ppb) the faucet must be immediately shut off (and addressed by the school by either replacing the faucet, installing filtration, or providing bottled water as short-term remedy).
On March 15, 2023 the bill was passed by the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. On March 29, 2023 the bill passed the Assembly Committee on Education.
Link to current version of AB 249:
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVersionsCompareClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB249
On March 27, 2023 CBS News (Sacramento) ran a segment on the legislation:
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/lead-in-school-water-leg/
In the written article on the CBS News website, there is a link to an interactive map prepared by “EdSource” showing lead results for schools around the State. Link to EdSource map:
https://edsource.org/2018/interactive-map-lead-levels-found-in-california-schools-drinking-water/602769
