IL HB6596

Beginning January 1, 2017, water supplies for drinking water use in all classroom-instruction public school buildings must be tested for lead at least once per year, with testing performed at one location per free-standing building.

Water suppliers are responsible for conducting or contracting the testing and bearing all associated expenses, unless reimbursed through grants from the Public Water Supply School Testing Fund.

Test results are public documents that must be provided at no cost to the Environmental Protection Agency and school districts, and published online by the water supplier within 5 business days of receipt.

The Public Water Supply School Testing Fund is created as a special fund to receive federal monies designated for testing school water, and these funds are protected from state budget sweeps or transfers to other funds.

Water suppliers may seek rate relief from their regulatory authority or municipality to cover testing costs, but must first attempt to obtain partial or total compensation from the reimbursement grants fund.