Community water systems like EBMUD were required to provide lead testing at pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (PreK-12) school sites constructed prior to 2010. This one-time testing effort was completed before the regulatory deadline of July 1, 2019.
A new federal requirement, the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, was finalized in the fall of 2024. According to this new rule, EBMUD will be required to sample from schools in the service area once every five years, starting in 2027.
Lead sampling in childcare centers
All licensed childcare centers in California constructed before January 1, 2010 are required to test their drinking water for lead. Initial testing was done between January 1, 2020 and January 1, 2023, and must be repeated every 5 years. This requirement does not apply to family childcare homes. The State Orders on Lead Sampling for licensed childcare centers is available for download below, this includes information about external water sampler self-certification. EBMUD is not directly involved in lead sampling at licensed childcare centers.
The state-required sampling for childcare centers is different from EBMUD's voucher program; our results do not satisfy the state's requirements for childcare centers. Childcare centers need to follow the directions on the Department of Social Services site for lead sampling.
