Environmental Services visits schools before staff and students arrive in the morning. They will be collecting a water sample from every drinking fountain, kitchen food prep sink, lounge sink or other fixtures used for drinking water. Denver Water will assist with the analysis.

This activity also includes identifying older schools that may have a lead water service line in order to plan for replacement under the 2016 bond proposal or future bond proposals. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that lead levels over 20 parts per billion be remediated in schools. As a precaution, DPS will address issues in which samples test at 15 parts per billion or higher. One part per billion is equivalent to a single drop of water in 55,000 gallons.

Facility Management

Testing FAQs

1. Why are we testing school drinking water for lead?

2. How is lead measured?

3. How does lead get in the water?

4. What action will DPS take if lead is found?

5. Why is lead a concern?

6. How will DPS communicate testing results?

7. Does DPS expect to find lead in schools' drinking water?

8. How can I learn more about lead exposure?

9. Is DPS the only Colorado district undertaking this kind of testing?

10. How can I get more information about this testing?

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