Lead Free Drinking Water
ACPS has been proactive about sampling for lead in drinking water and has no reason to believe that there is lead in the water in our schools. Here is a summary of our testing efforts and their results:
Voluntary Lead Testing
In 2016 & 2018, ACPS voluntarily tested every drinking water fixture in every school, approximately 800 in total. It included every water fountain, classroom sink/bubbler in elementary schools, kitchen sink, and any other sink and/or water source where we believed people might be getting their drinking water. A limited number of fixtures were found to have lead levels above the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL). In each circumstance, we replaced the pipe or utilized a filter to mitigate the issue and retested it to confirm that lead levels were reduced to below the MCL.
Triennial Lead Testing
At our five well-water schools, we are required to conduct lead samples at each school every three years. Our results have been consistently below the EPA’s MCL. ACSA is likewise required to conduct triennial lead testing within its distribution system. Results for all ACPS water samples are publicly available via VDH’s Drinking Water Viewer: https://vadwv.gecsws.com/.
lead service line inventories
In 2021, the EPA released revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule. In accordance with this ruling, the EPA is requiring all waterworks operators/public utilities to conduct a lead service line inventory by October 2024. We have conducted an inventory of service lines at ACPS’s five (5) waterworks sites. No lead pipes were found.
Using the button below, you can access our interactive map, allowing you to explore the lead-free status of service lines at ACPS's 5 waterworks sites.
ACPS Lead Service Line Inventory - Interactive Map
Albemarle County Service Authority (ACSA ) provides safe drinking water to 17 ACPS schools. They have recently completed their inventory and likewise found no lead service lines in their distribution system. More information about ACSA's lead service line inventory can be found on their website: https://serviceauthority.org/lead-free-water/
City of Charlottesville Utilities provides drinking water to two ACPS school facilities. Likewise, no lead service lines were found in their distribution system. More information about City of Charlottesville’s lead service line inventory can be found on their website: https://www.charlottesville.gov/1650/Lead-Service-Line-Inventory
For questions, concerns, or information related to Lead Service Lines or Drinking Water, contact Building Services.
Phone: 434-975-9340