District to Complete Water Sampling and Testing

Adams 12 Five Star Schools is sampling drinking water in all Five Star school buildings that serve preschool and elementary-aged students to ensure it meets the state of Colorado’s new guidelines for lead. Lead is not present in the water sent to our schools from the cities, but it can get into the water as it moves through lead-containing plumbing and fixtures. 

Starting in January 2023, we will begin sampling the water in bottle fillers, drinking fountains, kitchen food prep sinks, lounge sinks and any other fixtures used for drinking water in Five Star elementary and K-8 schools.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures the amount of lead in water as “parts per billion” or “ppb.” One part per billion is equivalent to a single drop of water in 55,000 gallons. In 2017, the district completed similar testing in all of its buildings to ensure that all schools and buildings met the EPA’s lead standards. This year’s testing is in compliance with a new state law which calls for a higher standard than the EPA’s.

Five Star Schools is following Colorado's guidelines that any water fixture, that is a source for drinking water, with lead levels at or above 5 ppb be taken out of service until remedied. Remedies may include fixture replacement, adding water filters and/or other plumbing repairs. While a fixture is taken offline, alternative sources of water will be provided as needed until the situation is resolved and a follow-up sampling indicates lead levels below 5 ppb.

As the district completes sampling of schools, results will be sent to families and posted online as they become available. Sampling work is expected to be completed by the end of the school year.