Lead In Water (LIW) Sampling Project

Water Fountain

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 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 2022 sampling project is focused on elementary schools and childcare centers. 

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: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/lead-testing.

  • 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. 

Lead Sampling Reports

Below are the search bars that allow you to search for your specific site, such as "Mountain Ridge Middle School". 

2022 Sampling Results

 

Elementary and Childcare facilities

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

 

Middle Schools

2018 Sampling Results

Thank you to our partners

Castle Rock Water

Centennial Water


denver water

parker water

the pinery

roxborough water and sanitation

Stonegate



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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).