Annual Water Testing for Lead
During SY 2024-2025, DC PCSB installed lead filters on every drinking water source in every DC public charter school. 1,807 devices (3,614 samples) were tested for lead in public charter schools in Spring 2025. Of those devices, six of them had elevated lead levels. Those devices were taken out of service and remediated. Whenever high lead levels are detected in water sources swift action is taken, which may include installing filters, replacing plumbing fixtures, or switching to bottled water while issues are resolved.
Each year DC PCSB tests all drinking water sources to ensure lead levels are lower than 5 parts per billion, the safe level the city recommends for drinking water in schools per the Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017.
The types of devices tested included:
- Health suite sinks
- Staff break room sinks
- Icemakers
- Kitchen sinks used for food preparation
- Classroom sinks in early PK and K classroom
DC PCSB began testing drinking water sources in public charter schools in 2016. We are committed to ensuring that students have access to safe drinking water. DC PCSB oversees and manages the process to install filters, test for lead, label, and place signage on each device in public charter schools. This complies with the Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Amendment Act of 2017,
Find the results of the lead testing at all DC public charter schools below.