Environmental Services
Phone: 720-972-7118
Environmental Services is responsible for the district's compliance with all environmental regulations and for providing assistance to schools and departments dealing with environmental and health-related issues.
Stormwater
"Stormwater runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snowmelt events flows over land or impervious surfaces and does not percolate into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces (paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops), it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff is discharged untreated." (EPA, 2010)
Water Sampling Information
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.
*Please note that charter schools handle their own facilities and will need to be contacted directly about water sampling.
- How is lead measured?
- What action will the district take if lead is found?
- How will the district communicate school results?
- Does the district expect to find lead in schools' drinking water?
- How can I learn more about lead exposure?
- How can I get more information about this testing at my school?
How is lead measured?
What action will the district take if lead is found?
How will the district communicate school results?
Does the district expect to find lead in schools' drinking water?
How can I learn more about lead exposure?
How can I get more information about this testing at my school?
Water Sampling Results
Our Environmental Services team and staff from our Facilities department visited and tested water at all schools during the second semester of the 2016-2017 school year.