Lead in Water Testing
Lead can harm a young child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Lead is a neurotoxin, particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of children under six years old due to their rapid rate of growth. There are many sources of lead exposure in the environment, and it is important to reduce all lead exposures as much as possible.
The District is in compliance with Illinois lead in water testing requirements. (225 ILCS 320/35.5)
To mitigate elevated lead levels, the District has:
- Installed filtered drinking fountains
- Implemented a program to regularly flush all plumbing fixtures
- Posted “no drinking” signs at fixtures that are not designated for drinking or cooking
- Removed or replaced old plumbing fixtures, where practical
- Implemented a regular testing program to monitor all plumbing fixtures designated for drinking or cooking
Test Results
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established an “action level” for fixtures with lead concentrations that exceed 15 parts per billion (0.015 milligrams per liter). However, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) requires that schools notify parents of any sample that exceeds 5 ppb.
| 2018 | 2019 | |
| Fixtures tested | All plumbing fixtures at elementary schools | All fixtures designated for drinking and cooking at elementary schools |
| Results | Some fixtures tested above 5 ppb; see result details | No lead was detected in any of the tested fixtures |
The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. For more information about our water testing program or sampling results, please contact us.
Additional Information
When lead is found in tap water, it is typically due to leaching from internal plumbing materials. The potential for leaching increases the longer the water is in contact with the plumbing components. School water supplies tend to have extended periods of no water use (e.g., overnight, weekends, holidays, summer) that may increase the likelihood of elevated lead levels at the tap.
The risk to an individual child from exposure to elevated lead in drinking water depends on many factors, including the child’s age, weight, amount of water consumed, and the amount of lead in the water. Children may also be exposed to lead from other significant sources, including paint, soil, and dust. Since blood lead testing is the only way to determine a child’s blood lead level, parents should discuss their child’s health history with their physician to determine if testing is appropriate.
To learn more, please visit:
City of Batavia – Lead in Drinking Water
