State of Michigan Filter First Legislation
![Person using a Brita water filter at a kitchen sink, with a 'Filter First' slogan visible above the EGLE logo.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1763401979/berkleyschoolsorg/cg9sbonr1f97zxphpo0c/70086cf4-075e-4192-aee6-2ed309cb4b21-screenshot_2.png","width":2200}])
The State of Michigan enacted new legislation in 2023 regarding Filter First, an initiative to protect children from lead exposure in drinking water. The Filter First requirements for child care centers went into effect in October 2025. Locations with Kids’ Zone and Child Care programs are required to add signage to water sources to indicate which water is for consumption and which water is for washing. These signs are in place at our schools that host Kids’ Zone and Berkley Building Blocks. Filter First requirements for all other school buildings will go into effect during the 2026-27 school year.
Filter First comes with several requirements:
- Students should only drink from filtered water sources and only certain filters are allowable according to the legislation. All bottle filler hydration stations throughout the District are in compliance with these requirements, and have been since they were installed during the 2015 Bond.
- All schools must have a Drinking Water Management Plan. These documents are complete and have been distributed to our schools by our Operations and Facilities Department. Drinking Water Management Plans will be posted on the website soon.
- All water fixtures in the building must be labeled as either filtered and safe for consumption, or hand wash only.
- All consumptive (filtered) fixtures must be tested for lead on an annual basis. The District’s testing took place in October, and all samples came back clear.
If you have any questions regarding the Filter First protocols in the District, please contact the Operations and Facilities department at 248-837-8029.