Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in El Paso School District (TX)

138 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · 103,109,184 people served · Updated 2026-06-04

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-06-04

A · 97
Avg Safety Score
138
ZIP Codes
8
Water Systems
414
Violations (5yr)
0.0012 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
14
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 3
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The El Paso School District in Texas spans 138 ZIP codes served by 8 community water systems, providing water to approximately 103,109,184 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is A (97/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 84/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 96% of ZIP codes nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure — Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") — Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate — Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts — Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0012 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0012 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 138 —

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 14 of 138 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFBA, PFBS, PFOS, PFPeA, PFHxS, PFHxA.

Highest measured level: 0.011 µg/L.

PFAS can accumulate in the body over time. Children's higher water intake relative to body weight makes them particularly susceptible. Reverse osmosis filters (NSF/ANSI 58) are the most effective at removing PFAS.

Learn more about PFAS in drinking water →

EPA Violation History

414 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Contaminant 1009 Other 276 No 138
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 138 No 138

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
79901 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79902 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79903 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79904 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79905 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79906 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79907 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79908 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79910 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79911 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79912 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79913 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79914 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79915 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79917 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79920 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79922 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79923 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79924 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79925 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79926 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79927 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79928 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79929 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79930 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79931 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79932 El Paso B (84) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79934 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79935 El Paso A (89) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79936 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79937 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79938 El Paso A (94) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79940 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79941 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79942 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79943 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79944 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79945 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79946 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79947 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79948 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79949 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79950 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79951 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79952 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79953 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79954 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79955 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79958 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79960 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79961 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79968 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79976 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79978 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79980 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79990 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79995 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79996 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79997 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79998 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
79999 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88510 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88511 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88512 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88513 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88514 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88515 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88516 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88517 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88518 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88519 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88520 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88521 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88523 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88524 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88525 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88526 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88527 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88528 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88529 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88530 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88531 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88532 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88533 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88534 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88535 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88536 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88538 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88539 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88540 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88541 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88542 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88543 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88544 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88545 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88546 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88547 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88548 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88549 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88550 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88553 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88554 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88555 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88556 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88557 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88558 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88559 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88560 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88561 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88562 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88563 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88565 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88566 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88567 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88568 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88569 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88570 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88571 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88572 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88573 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88574 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88575 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88576 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88577 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88578 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88579 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88580 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88581 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88582 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88583 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88584 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88585 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88586 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88587 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88588 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88589 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88590 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No
88595 El Paso A (98) 3 0 0.00116 mg/L No

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school — The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water — Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Address PFAS — If PFAS are detected in your area, a reverse osmosis or activated carbon block filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 can reduce levels significantly.
  5. Pack water from home — If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  6. Stay informed — Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in El Paso School District schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving El Paso School District have no health-based violations in the past 5 years. However, school buildings with older plumbing may still have localized issues. Testing at the tap (not just at the treatment plant) is important.

Does El Paso School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Are there PFAS in El Paso School District water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 14 of 138 ZIP codes served by this district. PFAS are "forever chemicals" that do not break down and can accumulate in the body. The EPA has set maximum contaminant levels for certain PFAS compounds. Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective at removing PFAS from drinking water.

Data Sources

Updated daily.

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