Does your child's school have lead in its water? Tracking Colorado's testing results
A new Colorado law that took effect Jan. 1, 2023, requires all licensed day care facilities and preschools, along with all public schools serving children from preschool through the eighth grade, to test water fixtures used for drinking and food preparation for lead.
Day care facilities, preschools and public elementary schools were required to provide samples collected under strict protocols and submit them for testing to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment by May 31, 2023. The deadline for public middle schools is Nov. 30, 2024.
Remediation is required prior to further use for any water fixture tested that is found to have lead content higher than 5 parts per billion. Remediation efforts will vary by site and location, but can range from replacing the fixture, pipes leading to it or both, and/or filtration to reduce the lead content.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there's a growing body of study that shows lead exposure can cause cognitive, cardiovascular, immunological and endocrine effects in children. Children younger than age 6 are particularly vulnerable to health impacts due to their developing nervous system.
Results of the statewide drinking water testing are posted online by the state health department on the Water Quality Control Division’s Test and Fix Water for Kids Lead Testing Results website.
More: Multiple PSD schools shut off water fixtures after state-mandated lead testing
Poudre School District began testing its preschool and elementary-school fixtures in February to ensure the required samples are received prior to the May 31 deadline, school district spokesperson Madeline Noblett said.
The Thompson School District voluntarily tested fixtures at all of its schools in 2018-19, funded by a grant from the state health department, and worked with the state to have those results retroactively added to the new database, said Jess Arnold, an environmental specialist with the district. That testing included 2,645 fixtures, with 3.9% requiring mediation, she said. TSD is resampling all fixtures that tested above the 5-parts-per-billion threshold in those tests, fixtures that were not part of that testing protocol and fixtures in new additions and new school buildings.
The Windsor-Severance School District (Weld RE-4) tested its fixtures in May 2023, spokesperson Katie Smith said.
Here are the results of testing at schools in the Poudre, Thompson and Windsor-Severance school districts. Results will be updated as they become available.
Poudre School District
Fort Collins Montessori – 15 fixtures tested in samples taken Feb. 17, 2023; no issues
Fullana Learning Center − 7 of 21 fixtures tested above threshold (3 drinking fountains, 3 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen sink) in samples taken April 27, 2023, and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
Elementary Schools
Bacon – 1 of 77 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink) in samples taken March 31, 2023. That fixture was replaced Oct. 19, 2023, and has since tested below the threshold
Bamford – 1 of 71 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink) in samples taken April 19, 2023. The aerator on that fixture was cleaned Dec. 19, 2023, and tested below the threshold in a sample taken Dec. 20, 2023
Bauder – 75 fixtures tested in samples taken Jan. 31, 2023; no issues
Beattie – 15 of 56 fixtures tested above threshold (10 classroom sinks, 3 drinking fountains, 1 nurse's office sink, 1 kitchen kettle) in samples taken Feb. 14 and Feb. 23, 2023. The 10 classroom sinks and nurse's office sink were retested Dec. 14, 2023, and found to have levels well below the state threshold. The three drinking fountains have been removed, and the kitchen kettle is being replaced
Bennett – 2 of 69 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain, 1 classroom sink) in samples taken Jan. 27, 2023. The classroom faucet was replaced Oct. 19, 2023, and tested below the threshold in a sample taken Nov. 10, 2023. The drinking fountain was removed
Bethke – 73 fixtures tested in samples taken April 13, 2023; no issues
Cache la Poudre – 13 of 70 fixtures tested above threshold (10 classroom sinks, 2 kitchen fixtures, 1 media center faucet) in samples taken Feb. 10, 2023. Eight of the 10 classroom sinks, both kitchen fixtures and the media center faucet were all below the threshold when retested in samples taken Jan. 3, 2024. Two classroom sinks remain off limits and require further fixes
Dunn – 4 of 64 fixtures tested above threshold (2 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen steamer, 1 refrigerator/ice-maker in breakroom) in samples taken Feb. and Feb. 23, 2023. Faucets were replaced Oct. 24, 2023, in the 2 classroom sinks and a new filter was installed on the refrigerator/ice-maker. All 3 fixtures tested below the threshold Nov. 10, 2023. The kitchen steamer is no longer listed and was likely removed from the school
Eyestone – 20 of 63 fixtures tested above threshold (18 classroom sinks, 2 kitchen steamers) in samples taken Feb. 9. 11 of those classroom sinks tested below the threshold Jan. 3, 2024, while 7 others have been shut off and require further fixes
Fort Collins Montessori – 15 fixtures tested on Feb. 17, 2023; no issues
Harris – 48 fixtures tested March 2, 2023; no issues
Irish – 3 of 66 fixtures tested above threshold (2 classroom sinks, 1 refrigerator/ice-maker in breakroom) in samples taken Jan. 26, 2023. Faucets were replaced in the 2 classroom sinks Oct. 19, 2023, and a new service line was installed for the refrigerator/ice-maker Oct. 11, 2023 All 3 fixtures were below the threshold in retesting samples taken Nov. 10, 2023
Johnson – 10 of 55 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain, 9 classroom sinks) in samples taken March 30, 2023. Five classroom sinks were below the threshold in retesting Dec. 22, 2023, while 4 require further fixes. The drinking fountain has been shut off and will be removed
Kruse – 11 of 58 fixtures tested above threshold (10 classroom sinks, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken March 24, 2023. All 11 fixtures were replaced Sept. 22, 2023, and were below threshold in new samples taken Oct. 12, 2023.
Laurel – 9 of 73 fixtures tested above threshold (7 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen faucet, 1 kitchen kettle) in samples taken March 10, 2023. Aerators on all 11 fixtures were cleaned Nov. 9, 2023, and below threshold in new samples taken Nov. 10, 2023.
Liberty Common – 12 fixtures at Plato Campus tested in samples taken April 27, 2023; no issues. No results available for Aristotle Campus
Linton – 6 of 57 fixtures tested above threshold (6 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 6, 2023, and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
Livermore – 4 of 12 fixtures tested above threshold (4 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 20, 2023. Three were below threshold in retesting Dec. 18, 2023, while a fourth remains shut off awaiting further fixes
Lopez – 12 of 56 fixtures tested above threshold (10 classroom sinks, 2 kitchen fixtures) in samples taken Feb. 16, 2023, and March 1, 2023 and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
McGraw – 17 of 61 fixtures tested above threshold (15 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen kettle, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken March 22, 2023. Sixteen fixtures were replaced and the aerator on the kitchen kettle was cleaned Aug. 24, 2023, and all fixtures tested below the threshold in samples taken Dec. 14, 2023
Mountain Sage Community – 11 fixtures tested in samples taken May 17, 2023; no issues
O’Dea – 2 of 73 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain, 1 kitchen steamer) in samples taken Feb. 1, 2023, and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
Olander – 8 of 59 fixtures tested above threshold (4 classroom sinks, 2 drinking fountains, 2 kitchen fixtures) in samples taken Feb. 17, 2023 and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
PSD Global – 9 of 24 fixtures tested above threshold (5 drinking fountains, 4 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 12, 2023. Four faucets and 1 plumbing service line were replaced and 1 aerator cleaned on classroom sinks, and the 5 drinking fountains were removed on Aug. 26, 2023. All of the new and cleaned fixtures tested below the threshold in samples taken Nov. 10, 2023
PSD Options −10 of 31 fixtures tested above threshold (5 classroom sinks, 5 drinking fountains) in samples taken April 12, 2023. Four faucets and 1 plumbing service fixture were replaced and 1 aerator cleaned on classroom sinks, and the 5 drinking fountains were removed Sept, 22, 2023. All of the new and cleaned fixtures tested below the threshold in samples taken Nov. 10, 2023
Polaris Expeditionary Learning – 18 of 63 fixtures tested above threshold (12 classroom sinks, 5 drinking fountains, 1 sink at nurse’s station) in samples taken Feb. 3, 2023. Faucets were replaced on all 12 classroom sinks, with 2 plumbing fixtures also replaced, and all 5 drinking fountains were removed on Aug. 26, 2023. The new fixtures all tested below the threshold in samples taken Nov. 10, 2023
Putnam – 5 of 80 fixtures tested above threshold (2 drinking fountains, 3 classroom sinks) in samples taken Jan. 20, 2023, and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation. Faucets on 3 classroom sinks were replaced, and 2 drinking fountains removed Sept. 26, 2023. The new fixtures all tested below the threshold in samples taken Jan. 19, 2024.
Red Feather – 4 of 10 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain, 3 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 20, 2023, and again Dec. 18, 2023. Those fixtures are off limits awaiting further fixes
Rice – 1 of 76 fixtures texted above threshold (1 kitchen kettle) in samples taken March 3 and March 9, 2023. Aerator was cleaned Jan. 2, 2024, and kettle tested below threshold in sample taken Jan. 3, 2024
Ridgeview Classical – 11 fixtures tested in samples taken May 16, 2023; no issues
Riffenburgh – 12 of 62 fixtures tested above threshold (10 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen kettle, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken March 1, 2023. Eight classroom sinks, the kitchen kettle and the nurse's station sink all tested below threshold in samples taken Dec. 7, 2023, while 2 classroom sinks remain off limits awaiting further fixes
Shepardson – 8 of 71 fixtures tested above threshold (4 drinking fountains, 1 water-bottle filler, 1 classroom sink, 1 nurse's station sink, 1 kitchen faucet) in samples taken March 9, 2023, and have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
Stove Prairie – 10 fixtures tested in samples collected April 14, 2023; no issues
Tavelli – 17 of 80 fixtures tested above threshold (13 classroom sinks, 2 drinking fountains, 1 water bottle filler, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken March 8, 2023. Twelve classroom sinks, 1 water bottle filler and nurse's station sink all tested below the threshold in samples taken Oct. 12, 2023, while 1 classroom sink remains off limits awaiting further fixes. The 2 drinking fountains are not in use and scheduled to be removed
Timnath – 6 of 52 fixtures tested above threshold (4 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen kettle, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken April 5, 2023. Aerators on all 6 fixtures were cleaned Dec. 20, 2023, and all tested below the threshold Dec. 21, 2023
Traut – 27 fixtures tested in samples collected April 10, 2023; no issues
Werner – 8 of 50 fixtures tested above threshold (5 classroom faucets, 2 kitchen faucets, 1 outdoor spigot for drinking water) in samples taken March 23 and 29, 2023. Two classroom faucets and 2 kitchen faucets tested below threshold in samples taken Dec. 20, 23, while 3 classroom faucets and the outdoor spigot remain off limits awaiting further fixes
Zach −80 fixtures tested in samples collected March 29, 2023; no issues
Middle Schools
Blevins – no results available
Boltz – no results available
Cache la Poudre – no results available
Compass Community Collaborative – no results available
Kinard – no results available
Lesher – no results available
Liberty Common – 12 fixtures tested in samples taken April 27, 2023; no issues.
Lincoln – no results available
Polaris Expeditionary Learning – 17 of 63 fixtures tested above threshold (5 drinking fountains, 11 classroom sinks, 1 sink at nurse’s station) in samples taken Feb. 3, 2023, have been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
PSD Global – 9 of 24 fixtures tested above threshold (5 drinking fountains, 4 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 12, 2023. Four faucets and 1 plumbing service line were replaced and 1 aerator cleaned on classroom sinks, and the 5 drinking fountains were removed on Aug. 26, 2023. All of the new and cleaned fixtures tested below the threshold in samples taken Nov. 10, 2023
Preston – no results available
Ridgeview Classical – 11 fixtures tested in samples taken May 16, 2023; no issues
Timnath – no results available
Webber – no results available
Wellington – no results available
Thompson School District
Preschools
Berthoud Early Childhood – 3 fixtures tested in samples taken March 8, 2019; no issues
Monroe Early Childhood −14 fixtures tested in samples taken March 30, 2019; no issues
Stansberry Early Childhood −35 fixtures tested in samples taken April 12, 2023; no issues
Thompson Integrated Early Childhood – 24 fixtures tested in samples taken April 3, 2018, 2 tested in samples taken Aug. 18, 2018, 2 fixtures tested in samples taken June 14, 2018, and 7 fixtures tested in samples taken April 12, 2023; no issues
Elementary Schools
Berthoud – 3 of 65 fixtures tested above threshold (3 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 22, 2023. Faucets and fixtures on the 3 classroom sinks were replaced Oct. 20, 2023, and tested below threshold in samples taken Jan. 10, 2024
B.F. Kitchen – 2 of 38 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink, 1 nurse's office sink) in samples taken April 14, 2023. Signage was placed on the classroom sink Aug. 14, 2023, designating it as not for drinking, while the nurse's station sink tested above threshold again Nov. 1, 2023, and is off limits awaiting further fixes
Big Thompson – 2 of 43 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink, 1 kitchen sink) in samples taken May 2, 2023, and are off limits awaiting remediation
Carrie Martin – 4 of 15 fixtures tested above threshold (2 classroom sinks, 2 kitchen sinks) in samples taken April 14, 2023, and May 19, 2023. One classroom faucet and plumbing service fixture were replaced on a classroom sink, and filters were replaced on the 2 kitchen sinks Oct. 20, 2023. Those fixtures tested below threshold Nov. 1, 2023. One classroom sink was designated by signage as not for drinking. No issues found previously in previous samples of 24 fixtures tested April 17, 2018, 7 fixtures tested May 12, 2018, 1 fixture tested Feb. 16, 2019
Centennial – 1 of 3 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink) in samples taken April 6, 2023. The faucet and plumbing service line fixture were replaced Oct. 20, 2023, and tested below threshold in new sample taken Jan. 25, 2024. No issues found previously in samples of 59 fixtures taken April 17, 2018, and 2 fixtures taken June 15, 2018
Cottonwood Plains – 2 of 3 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain, 1 classroom sink) in samples taken April 11, 2023. The classroom sink tested below threshold Nov. 15, 2023, while the drinking fountain tested above threshold again in samples taken Nov. 15, 2023, and Jan. 23, 2024, and remains off limits awaiting further fixes. No issues found previously in samples of 66 fixtures taken April 21, 2018
Coyote Ridge – 49 fixtures tested in samples taken Nov. 17, 2018, 1 fixture tested in sample taken Jan. 26, 2019; no issues
Laurene Edmondson – 4 of 14 fixtures tested above threshold (3 kitchen sinks, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken April 13, 2023. New filters were placed on 2 kitchen sinks and the faucet and plumbing service fixture were replaced on the nurse's station sink Oct. 20, 2023, and they all tested below the threshold in new samples taken Dec. 6, 2023. Signage was placed on 1 kitchen sink June 12, 2023, designated it as not for drinking
Garfield – 32 fixtures tested in samples taken March 24, 2018, 1 fixture tested in sample taken Dec. 15, 2018, and 2 fixtures tested in samples taken April 18, 2023; no issues
High Plains – 59 fixtures tested in samples taken Oct. 20, 2018; no issues
LEAP School − 1 of 5 fixtures tested above threshold (1 drinking fountain) in samples taken May 26, 2023. Drinking fountain again tested above threshold in sample taken Oct. 12, 2023, and remains off limits awaiting further fixes
Lincoln – 3 of 16 fixtures tested above threshold (3 classroom sinks) in samples taken April 13 and April 20, 2023. Faucets and plumbing service fixtures on all 3 were replaced Oct. 20, 2023, and all 3 tested below threshold in new samples taken Nov. 15, 2023. No issues found previously in samples of 35 fixtures taken March 31, 2018
Sarah Milner – 4 of 17 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink, 2 kitchen sinks, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken April 20, 2023. Faucets and plumbing service line fixtures were replaced on 1 classroom sink, 1 kitching sink and nurse's station sink Oct. 20, 2023, an all 3 fixtures tested below threshold in new samples taken Nov. 3, 2023. Signage was placed on 1 kitchen sink designating it as not for drinking water. No issues found previously in samples of 34 fixtures taken May 4, 2018, 5 fixtures taken June 13, 2018, and 1 fixture taken Dec. 15, 2018
Namaqua – 12 of 20 fixtures tested above threshold (2 drinking fountains, 9 classroom sinks, 1 kitchen sink) in samples taken April 14, 2023. One classroom sink and 1 kitchen sink tested below threshold in new samples taken Oct. 31, 2023, while 8 classroom sinks and 2 drinking fountains again tested above threshold and are off limits awaiting further fixes. No issues with previous 47 fixtures tested in samples taken April 4, 2018, 1 fixture tested in sample taken June 13, 2018, 2 fixtures tested in samples taken Aug. 9, 2018
New Vision Charter – 15 fixtures tested in samples taken May 10, 2023; no issues
Ponderosa – 53 fixtures tested in samples taken Oct. 6, 2018; no issues
Riverview – 2 of 60 fixtures tested above threshold (1 kitchen sink, 1 ice machine) in samples taken April 21, 2023. New filter was placed on ice machine Oct. 20, 2023, and it tested below threshold in sample taken Jan. 24, 2024. Signage was placed on kitchen sink Aug. 24, 2023, designated it as not for drinking
Ivy Stockwell – 8 of 51 fixtures tested above threshold (3 classroom sinks, 3 kitchen sinks, 1 music room sink, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken April 22, 2023. One classroom sink and 2 kitchen sinks tested below threshold in new samples taken Nov. 10, 2023, while 2 classroom sinks and nurse's station sink tested above threshold again Nov. 10, 2023, and Jan. 18, 2024, and are off limits awaiting further fixes. Signage was placed on 1 kitchen sink Aug. 23, 2023, designated it as not for drinking
Truscott – 3 of 4 fixtures tested above threshold (1 kitchen sink, 1 staff lounge sink, 1 nurse's station sink) in samples taken April 18, 2023, and again on Dec, 5, 2023. Those fixtures remain off limits awaiting further fixes. No issues found previously in samples of 11 fixtures taken March 24, 2018
Winona – 5 of 14 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom sink, 4 kitchen sinks) in samples taken April 28, 2023. Faucet and plumbing service fixture were replaced on classroom sink and new filters installed on 4 kitchen sinks Oct. 20, 2023, and all 5 fixtures tested below threshold in new samples taken Nov. 30, 2023. No issues found previously in samples of 57 fixtures taken April 14, 2018, and 2 fixtures saken June 13, 2018
Middle schools
Bill Reed – 2 of 3 fixtures tested above threshold (2 kitchen sinks) in samples taken April 18, 2023. Signage was placed on both June 2, 2023, designating them as not for drinking. No issues found in previous samples of 4 other kitchen fixtures taken April 28, 2018
Conrad Ball – no results available
High Plains – 59 fixtures tested in samples taken Oct. 20, 2018; no issues
Lucile Erwin – 1 fixture tested above threshold (1 kitchen faucet) in sample taken April 12, 2023. Filter was replaced Oct. 20, 2023, and fixture tested below threshold in new sample taken Dec. 6, 2023. No issues found previously in samples of 7 other kitchen fixtures tested Oct. 13, 2018
Riverview – 2 of 60 fixtures tested above threshold (1 kitchen sink, 1 ice machine) in samples taken April 21, 2023. New filter was placed on ice machine Oct. 20, 2023, and it tested below threshold in sample taken Jan. 24, 2024. Signage was placed on kitchen sink Aug. 24, 2023, designated it as not for drinking
Turner – no results available
Walt Clark – no results available
Windsor-Severance (Weld RE-4) School District
Elementary Schools
American Legacy Academy – 47 fixtures tested in samples taken Dec. 8, 2023; no issues
Grandview – 55 fixtures tested in samples taken June 1, 2023; no issues
Mountain View – 9 of 48 fixtures tested above threshold (7 classroom faucets, 1 kitchen faucet, 1 nurse's office sink) in samples taken May 24, 2023. Drinking water access has been removed at those fixtures, and long-term fixes are planned
Skyview – 4 of 52 fixtures tested above threshold (2 classroom faucets, 2 kitchen faucets) in samples taken May 23, 2023. Drinking water access has been removed at those fixtures, and long-term fixes are planned
Range View – 70 fixtures tested May 24, 2023; no issues
Tozer Primary – 8 of 50 fixtures tested above threshold (5 classroom faucets, 2 bathroom faucets, 1 kitchen faucet) in samples taken May 23, 2023. Drinking water access has been removed at those fixtures, and long-term fixes are planned
Windsor Charter Academy – 46 fixtures tested May 26, 2023; no issues
Middle schools
American Legacy Academy – scheduled to open fall of 2023
Severance – no results available
Windsor – no results available
Windsor Charter Academy – no results available
Others
Academy of Arts and Knowledge − 1 of 21 fixtures tested above threshold (1 classroom faucet) in samples taken May 19, 2023, and has been turned off awaiting retesting and remediation
Ascent Classical Academy − testing information not available
AXIS International Academy −37 fixtures tested in samples taken April 28, 2023; no issues
Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins Middle School −1 of 27 fixtures tested above threshold (1 kitchen faucet) in samples taken May 26, 2023, and has been shut off awaiting retesting and remediation
Rivendell School – 18 fixtures tested in samples taken Jan. 28, 2023; no issues
Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, twitter.com/KellyLyell or facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Does your child's school have lead in its water? Tracking test results
