Lead Water Filters for Schools: Ensuring Safe Drinking Water for Michigan’s Future

With the new Michigan law making it mandatory for schools and daycares to adopt a Drinking Water Management Plan (DWMP) by the start of the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring safe drinking water is now a top priority. According to an analysis by Safe Water Engineering, lead was found in the water at 89% of Michigan school and childcare buildings between 2020 and 2022.

This number highlights the severity of this issue, fortunately, the new regulation offers a clear path forward in protecting children from lead contamination. Let’s understand this law in more detail to see what changes it requires schools to make.

Understanding Michigan’s Drinking Water Law

The new Michigan Drinking Water Law is a proactive step towards reducing the risk of lead exposure in schools. Lead can enter the drinking water through old, corroded pipes and plumbing systems, posing serious health risks. Long-term exposure to lead can affect cognitive development, behavior and even physical growth.

The state’s new law ensures that by 2025-2026, all educational institutions, including preschools and daycares, will have proper systems in place to monitor and reduce lead levels in their water supply. The law requires schools to install effective lead water filters, develop a regular service and maintenance schedule and conduct ongoing water testing for lead to ensure safety.

The Role of Lead Water Filters in Schools

Installation of lead water filters is one of the major components of this plan, these filters are specially designed to remove lead and other contaminants from the water supply, making it safe for consumption. These filters provide immediate protection by removing lead at the point of use like drinking fountains.

While the initial cost of installing these filters may seem high, they are a cost-effective solution when compared with replacing entire plumbing systems. Plus, they are quite low maintenance and only require occasional filter changes.

Why Schools Need a Service Schedule

Having a service schedule is an important part of the Drinking Water Management Plan. Installation of lead filters is only the first step, the next step is to get them maintained and serviced regularly so that they remain effective.

If filters are not replaced periodically they don’t effectively remove lead from the water, putting everyone’s health at risk. Thus, it’s important to have a detailed service schedule to ensure your school remains compliant with Michigan’s new law and guarantees safe drinking water year-round.

Testing for Lead: An Ongoing Necessity

To check whether your filters are working properly or not, you must get regular lead testing done. The new regulation requires schools to include a testing plan to make sure lead levels stay well below the allowed limit.

Schools must coordinate and partner with certified professionals to conduct these tests and respond promptly in case any issues arise. By doing proactive testing, schools can ensure the health of students, plus parents and administrators can be at ease.

How Gordon Water Can Help

At Gordon Water, we understand the importance of clean, lead-free drinking water for students. We offer advanced lead filters that can help remove lead from water and keep its levels within the allowed limit. By choosing us, schools can ensure they are fully prepared for the 2025-2026 school year deadline. Get in touch with us today for water testing in Portage MI and installation of lead filters for schools that ensure a healthier, safer future for Michigan’s children.