Lead In Water (LIW) Sampling Project

Lead-In-Water (LIW) Sampling Project
(2018 & 2022)

In 2018, following the events of Flint, Michigan, Douglas County School District (DCSD), in partnership with the multiple agencies that provide water across our county, proactively launched a massive effort to test water fixtures in all schools and staff support sites. Testing is ongoing and is planned every five years.

Many buildings in DCSD are relatively new, with most schools built after 1990. This is important because a 1986 federal law limits the use of lead in plumbing. Thus, any buildings built after 1986 have very little lead in their plumbing.

During initial testing, DCSD focused primarily on sites built prior to 1990, sampling all potential drinking water fixtures (drinking fountains, kitchen sinks, and classroom sinks) at all pre-1990 elementary, middle, and high schools.

Additionally, the district tested ten percent of fixtures in all sites built post-1990. DCSD also established strict procedures for additional testing if any fixtures exceeded the action threshold.

The Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action threshold was, and still is, 15 parts per billion (ppm). DCSD modeled its Lead In Water (LIW) Sampling Project in accordance with the EPA threshold. A good way to visualize 1 ppb in water is to think of it as one drop in one billion drops of water, or 15 ppb as one drop of paint in a 13,000-gallon swimming pool.

In 2018, a total of 1,565 samples were tested at DCSD schools and staff support sites. The overwhelming majority of samples (96.4%) came back below the 15 ppb threshold following the first test and required no further action. The remaining fixtures were removed or replaced and tested again to ensure acceptable levels were present.

In June 2022, Governor Jared Polis signed into law Colorado House Bill 22-1358: Clean Water in Schools and Child Care Centers. This bill requires all licensed childcare programs and eligible schools to test their drinking water for lead and take action when results are found above an action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb). This threshold is 10 ppb stricter and lower than the current Federal EPA standard of 15 ppb used by water districts, residential, and commercial construction. The goal of this law is to lower children’s exposure to lead. To meet these requirements, DCSD has tested all drinking water fixtures for lead where children and staff get water for drinking and cooking.

The first phase of the sampling project is focused on elementary schools and childcare centers. 

The second phase of the sampling project is focused on middle schools.

Following is additional information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) regarding House Bill 22-1358:

• Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is especially harmful to young children. The degree of risk depends on the child’s total exposure to lead from all sources in the environment – air, soil, dust, food, paint, consumer products, and water. Old or corroded lead plumbing or old brass fixtures can contribute to increased lead levels in drinking water. If you are concerned about your child’s exposure you can have their blood tested. Please contact your health provider to learn more about blood lead testing, or for more information please visit the CDPHE Lead Testing website.
• Schools that have lead results in drinking water above 5 parts per billion (ppb) must take action to reduce exposure to lead. When lead is found at or above 5 ppb, the fixture is shut off while a more long-term solution is underway. Long-term solutions may include permanently removing the fixture from service, replacing drinking water faucets and fountains, or installing filters.

Please select a school below to view the most recent water test results for that building. 

2022 Sampling Project Results

Elementary and Childcare facilities

The pK-6th (where applicable) phase and the middle school phase of this project is complete and all issues have been rectified. You can find info about these actions at CDPHE Sample Results.

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