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Voluntary Water Testing

It is important that we have safe and high-quality drinking water in our schools, so we recently decided to conduct water tests for lead. These tests were voluntary, and go above and beyond tests conducted by the Madison Water Utility on drinking water throughout the city.

Test Results

Our outside water testing group, TRC Environmental Corporation, assessed a total of 1,337 samples within the school district, including drinking fountains, sinks, bottle filling stations and more.

Of the 1,337 samples analyzed, 93% tested below the national standard of 15 parts per billion for lead. Seven percent, or 97 samples, tested above those levels. Those fixtures have all been turned off and are in the process of being repaired or replaced.

Drinking fountains

  • Bubblers (Non-cooled fountains) – 52/550
  • Electric water coolers (Cooled fountains) – 2/403
  • Bottle filling stations – 0/38

Sinks – 40/304
Ice machines – 0/3
Swimming pools – 0/5
Service connections – 3/34

Consistent with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance, two samples were collected from each of the cold water outlets being tested. The “first draw” sample is taken early in the morning, after water has been sitting in fixtures for more than 8 hours, and is likely to get the highest results. The second “flush” sample is taken after water has been allowed to continuously flow for 30 seconds.

First draw samples, or the highest possible reading, were used to determine whether to turn off and repair or replace fixtures. Flush samples provide more information about the fixture, what was most likely the level when people used it, and what needs to be repaired or replaced.

Both of these samples are included in this district wide report.

Close-up of a running drinking fountain

Frequently Asked Questions

More Information

You may have questions about lead in water, and we want to make sure you get the information you’re looking for. We’ve compiled questions and answers below. If you have additional questions or concerns you don’t see answered here, we encourage you to reach out to your school principal or access some of the resources listed below. You can also submit your question here and district staff will get in touch with you.