Keeping our water safe
The Pattonville School District is committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff. In alignment with that commitment and in compliance with the new Missouri state law, Get the Lead Out of School Drinking Water Act, Pattonville is in the process of initiating the testing of our water. Specifically, each possible drinking and food preparation source in our schools and buildings will be sampled and tested to determine if the lead concentration in the water is above the required action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter. The 5 ppb level required by the state is below the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) recommended action level of 15 ppb.
The law specifies that all preschool through 12th grade schools that receive state funding have until Aug. 1, 2024 to complete testing. Pattonville is currently in the process of selecting a company to complete this testing. Testing is expected to begin during spring break and be complete by the end of the school year. As results are received, they will be made available on this site. The results are typically available 7 to 14 days after the water samples have been submitted to the lab. The safety and health of our students and staff is our highest priority and we will work diligently to rectify any source that is out of compliance.
If you have questions or concerns regarding Pattonville's lead testing, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you have questions regarding the health of your child, please contact your primary healthcare provider.
Testing Plan
Click here to see a list of potable water sources identified to be tested. Details on Pattonville's testing plan will be updated throughout the process as needed.
Additional Resources
Lead is rarely found in source water like ground water or rivers. Typically, lead in water is the result of corrosion, or the wearing away, of lead-containing materials in the water distribution system such as pipes and faucets. Since 1986, all plumbing materials must be “lead-free.” The law currently allows plumbing materials to be up to 0.25 percent lead to be labeled as “lead-free.” While there are fewer amounts of lead used in newer water distribution systems, corrosion still occurs. When water stands in lead pipes or plumbing systems containing lead for several hours or more, the lead may dissolve into the drinking water. In such circumstances, the first water drawn from a tap in the morning typically contains the highest traces of lead.
Lead in drinking water, although rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning, can significantly increase a person’s total lead exposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that drinking water can make up 20% or more of a person’s total exposure to lead. According to the EPA (www.epa.gov), children of any age are susceptible to the effects of lead, with children under the age of 6 being most at risk. While effects may vary in scope and severity, the EPA reports that lead might lead to behavior and learning problems, lower IQ, hyperactivity, slowed growth, hearing problems and anemia. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that the impact of lead exposure on children can be impacted by a variety of factors including age, nutrition, the source of exposure, length of time of the exposure and other underlying health conditions. Elevated levels of lead in women who are pregnant can also be harmful, possibly severely, to both babies and mothers. Your physician or healthcare provider can provide additional information regarding the effects of lead exposure and, with respect to one’s health history, whether testing for lead should be considered.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Basic Information About Lead in Drinking Water
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: Lead Publications
St. Louis County Department of Health: Lead Poisoning Prevention
