High Lead, Copper Levels Found In Water At Alexandria Schools

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Water quality testing at Alexandria City Public Schools showed outlets with high levels of lead or copper at numerous schools.

Some facilities had few or no outlets with copper or lead levels above the EPA's action level. The school with the most outlets with high levels was George Washington Middle School. The middle school had 15 outlets with high copper or lead levels, followed by Francis C. Hammond Middle School, Patrick Henry K-8 School and John Adams Elementary School, each having seven outlets with high levels.

At George Washington Middle School, three outlets had high copper levels, 10 had high lead levels and two had high copper and lead levels. The EPA action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L, and the action level for lead is 0.015 mg/L.

ACPS said the higher lead or copper levels can be caused by deterioration of the pipes or faucet. Outlets with higher than normal levels were taken out of use until they've been fixed. That will include replacing parts of the units or flushing the water lines. Once the work is done, the school district plans to retest the water and continue taking samples to ensure it remains safe.

The health department is working with ACPS to address the high copper and lead levels. The school district expects replacements or repairs to solve the issue.

Mayor Justin Wilson called the high copper and lead findings "concerning" in a tweet.

According to the EPA, lead is harmful to human health, especially in young children. Low levels of lead in the blood of children have been linked to behavioral and learning problems, slowed growth, hearing problems, hyperactivity and anemia.

Families can have children tested for lead in their blood at a pediatrician or family doctor. If you do not have a pediatrician or family doctor, call Neighborhood Health at 703-535-5568 to make an appointment.

Below are the drinking water testing results for all Alexandria public schools. See the full reports on the school district's website.

• T.C. Williams High School, Kings Street Campus: four outlets above action levels for copper or lead
• T.C. Williams High School, Minnie Howard Campus: two outlets
• Chance for Change (T.C. Williams High School): no outlets
• Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology: three outlets
• Charles Barrett Elementary School: three outlets
• Douglas MacArthur Elementary School: one outlet
• Early Childhood Center: three outlets
• Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School: two outlets
• Francis C. Hammond Middle School: seven outlets
• George Mason Elementary School: one outlet
• George Washington Middle School: 15 outlets
• James K. Polk Elementary School: one outlet
• Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School: no outlets
• John Adams Elementary School: seven outlets
• Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy: no outlets
• Matthew Maury Elementary School: one outlet
• Mount Vernon Community School: three outlets
• Patrick Henry K-8 School: seven outlets
• Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School: no outlets
• William Ramsay Elementary School: one outlet
• Maintenance Facility: no outlets
• Rowing Facility: no outlets
• Transportation Facility: no outlets
• Central Office: one outlet