Two Dozen Schools Test Positive For Lead After CMS Conducts “Proactive” Water Quality Tests

Justin Pryor,

CHARLOTTE, NC — A report released by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools on Monday shows a voluntary and “proactive” water quality test has resulted in two dozen schools testing positive for lead.

Several states throughout the U.S. have recently required school districts to test for lead in their water, but North Carolina has not been among them.

CMS says they are conducting the tests as part of a proactive approach to help protect the health of all students, faculty and staff. While all schools throughout the district have been scheduled for testing, officials say elementary schools are the first priority.

Tests are being conducted in accordance to regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the North Carolina Drinking Water Standards (NCDWS). Officials with CMS say the water supplied to most schools comes from Charlotte Water and already meets state and federal regulations.

However, CMS says pipes and fixtures used throughout the district to dispense that water could result in lead contamination.

Of the 55 schools tested so far, 24 have tested positive for lead at one or more fixture sites within the school, according to the reports released by CMS.

Officials with CMS say steps have already been taken to replace or permanently disable fixtures that tested positive.

The complete list of schools tested so far can be found below. Schools that tested positive are highlighted in bold.

  • Allenbrook Elementary
  • Berryhill Elementary
  • Beverly Woods Elementary
  • Billingsville Elementary
  • Briarwood Elementary
  • Bruns Academy
  • Chantilly Montessori
  • Clear Creek Elementary
  • Collinswood Language Academy
  • Cornelius Elementary
  • Cotswold Elementary
  • Devonshire Elementary
  • Dilworth Elementary
  • Eastover Elementary
  • Elizabeth Traditional Elementary
  • First Ward Elementary
  • Gunn Elementary
  • Hickory Grove
  • Hidden Valley Elementary
  • Huntersville Elementary
  • Huntingtowne Farms Elementary
  • Irwin Academic Center
  • Lansdowne Elementary
  • Mallard Creek Elementary
  • Marie G. Davis Academy
  • Matthews Elementary
  • McAlpine Elementary
  • McKee Road Elementary
  • Montclaire Elementary
  • Myers Park Traditional Elementary
  • Oakdale Elementary
  • Oakhurst STEAM Academy
  • Oaklawn Language Academy
  • Olde Providence Elementary
  • Park Road Montessori
  • Paw Creek Elementary
  • Piney Grove Elementary
  • Rama Road Elementary
  • Reedy Creek Elementary
  • Reid Park Academy (Amay James building)
  • Sedgefield Elementary
  • Selwyn Elementary
  • Shamrock Gardens Elementary
  • Sharon Elementary
  • Starmount Elementary
  • Steele Creek Elementary
  • Thomasboro Academy
  • Trillium Springs Montessori
  • Tuckaseegee Elementary
  • Turning Point Academy (old Pawtuckett school)
  • University Park Creative Arts
  • Vaughan Academy of Technology
  • Westerly Hills Academy
  • Windsor Park Elementary
  • Winterfield Elementary

For complete details and to look at the report on each school, CLICK HERE.

For additional information about the effects of lead in drinking water, CLICK HERE.