Water Sampling in ​California Schools

Important Update: The California School Water Sampling Program ended on July 1, 2019. The last data update was completed on December 31, 2020. For the most current information, pleas​e contact your school directly.

From 2018–2019, California public K–12 schools built before 2010 were required to test their drinking water for lead. Schools that found levels of lead above the limit established in AB 746 were required to:

• Close off the affected water faucet(s).
• Notify families of the test results.

This initiative was administered by the California Water ​Resources Control Board, in consultation with the California Department of Education.

Finding Test Results

To find your school’s test results:

• Visit the California State Water Resources Control Board to learn more about lead sampling of drinking water in California schools and view the sampling results. 
• Use the interactive map to find a school and look up their water testing results.

​Note: This Program ended on 7/1/2019 and the last data download and update requests were completed on 12/31/2020. The Program’s database has been closed and will not accept data submissions. Data shown on the map may not accurately reflect the status of the corrective action(s); contact the school directly for up-to-date status.

If you are concerned that your child may have been exposed to lead from school drinking water or any other source, ask their health care provider for a blood lead test. These tests are covered by most health insurance plans. 

Preventing Lead Exposure

Lead poisoning is one of the most common environmental illnesses in California children, but it is preventable. Here are some simple steps to protect your children and family from lead poisoning:​

For Drinking Water:  

• Allow cold water to run for a few minutes in the morning before using it for drinking, cooking, or mixing formula in case there is lead in your household pipes. You can collect this water and use it for watering house plants.  
• Use only cold water from the tap for drinking or in food preparation. If water needs to be heated, draw water from the cold tap and heat it on the stove or in the microwave. Hot water from the tap is more likely to have lead in it if you have lead in pipes or fixtures.
• Consider using a water filter registered to treat lead:

• This web page provides an overview of water filters.
• Click on the link for lead filters to download an Excel spreadsheet listing the specific filters that treat lead.
• When shopping for a water filter, choose one with a model or registration number that is included on the spreadsheet.
• Learn how to identify filters certified to reduce lead (PDF) by the certification marks on the packaging. 

​​Other Preventive Measures:​​

• Wash hands often, especially before eating and sleeping and after playing or using the bathroom.
• Wash windowsills, floors, and countertops weekly with a wet wipe or mop. Dry dusting and sweeping can spread lead dust around the house.
• Wash toys often to remove lead dust.
• Don't let children play in areas where bare soil is exposed or paint is chipped or peeling.
  
• Take off shoes or wipe them on a mat before entering the home.
• Feed your child regular meals with foods high in calcium, iron, and vitamin C. Full bellies absorb less lead.

Health Effects from Lead

Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. Even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect a child's ability to learn, pay attention, and do well in school. Many children who have been exposed to lead do not have obvious symptoms, so it is important to ask your child's health care provider about testing for lead.

Sources of Lead 

The United States has taken many steps to remove sources of lead, but lead is still all around us. Some common sources of lead include: 

• Lead-based paint in pre-1978 buildings
• Lead-contaminated soil
• Lead-contaminated dust from paint or soil
• Take-home exposure from jobs or hobbies that use lead
• Drinking water from lead service lines, galvanized steel pipes, and some pre-2010 plumbing fixtures. Learn more about lead service line replacement.
• Imported home remedies and imported cosmetics and ceremonial powders
• Imported or handmade pottery and tableware with lead glaze 
• Some imported candies, foods and spices

For more information about these and other sources, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.