Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act; enact
Summary
HB 543, titled the “Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act,” would require every child care learning center and every public or private primary or secondary school in Georgia to test drinking water outlets for lead contamination by July 1, 2026. The bill defines lead contamination as a lead concentration of five parts per billion or greater and requires any facility with a positive finding to develop a remediation plan, complete remediation as soon as practicable, and include a timeline for that work.
The bill also requires facilities with lead contamination to notify parents or guardians, students, and staff in writing; post the results and remediation plan prominently or on a public website; submit the information to the Department of Public Health; and provide an alternate source of safe drinking water during remediation. The Department of Public Health, working with other state agencies, must adopt rules by January 1, 2026, to govern testing and remediation, and the Department of Education may provide grants, subject to funding, to help schools and child care centers comply.
Impact
HB 543 would add a new Code section to Georgia’s education laws and create a statewide lead-testing and remediation mandate for drinking water in schools and child care learning centers. It would also establish reporting, public notice, and interim water-supply requirements, while authorizing state agencies to set technical standards for sampling and cleanup. Facilities already classified as public water systems under federal regulations would be exempt, and the bill would override any existing waiver provisions for strategic waivers school systems, local boards, charter systems, and charter schools.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials, the overall sentiment appears to be preventive and public-health oriented, with the bill framed as a child safety measure. The legislation’s title and structure suggest support for stronger oversight of drinking water quality in educational settings and a desire to ensure transparency and remediation when lead is found.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be cost, compliance burden, and implementation logistics. Schools and child care centers may need to pay for testing, remediation, and temporary water alternatives, although the bill allows for grants if funding is available. Another possible issue is the bill’s broad reach to both public and private schools and child care centers, along with its decision to bar waivers, which limits local flexibility. The exemption for facilities already regulated as public water systems may also be a point of discussion regarding which entities are covered and how duplicative regulation is avoided.