ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) has confirmed that drinking water in its facilities meets safety standards after completing lead testing across its schools. Testing indicates that water meets or exceeds guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Virginia Department of Health.

ACPS began voluntary water testing in 2016, inspecting nearly 800 fixtures, including water fountains, classroom sinks, and kitchen sinks. Instances where lead levels exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) were addressed through fixture replacements or added filters, followed by further testing to confirm lead levels fell within safe limits.

ACSA, which supplies drinking water to 17 ACPS schools, and the Charlottesville Department of Utilities, which supplies water to two additional facilities, also confirmed no lead service lines in their systems.

John Coles, Environmental Program Manager for ACPS, noted that “ensuring the quality of our drinking water is essential” and stated that the district will continue to coordinate with local authorities and meet regulatory requirements.