Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Highland Local School District (OH)

9 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · 626,444 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Highland Local School District: 3 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

D · 54
Avg Safety Score
9
ZIP Codes
12
Water Systems
4
Violations (5yr)
0.0021 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
9
ZIPs with PFAS
Zone 1
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 Highland Local School District in Ohio spans 9 ZIP codes served by 12 community water systems, providing water to approximately 626,444 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is D (54/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 40/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 80% 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) 0.0021 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0024 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 9 -

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 9 of 9 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFBA, PFHxA, PFPeA, PFBS, PFOA.

Highest measured level: 0.0107 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

4 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
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 3 No 3
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 1 No 1

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

9 of 9 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
43315 Cardington C (66) 2 0 0.0024 mg/L No
43019 Fredericktown B (70) 1 0 0.0018 mg/L No
43050 Mount Vernon C (63) 1 0 0.00209 mg/L No
43011 Centerburg D (45) 0 0 — —
43074 Sunbury D (53) 0 0 — —
43317 Chesterville D (40) 0 0 — —
43334 Marengo D (53) 0 0 — —
43338 Mount Gilead D (53) 0 0 — —
43350 Sparta D (40) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
CLEVELAND PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM 1,308,955 Surface water 44212, 44233, 44256
AKRON CITY PWS 280,000 Surface water 44203, 44281, 44321, 44333
Rural Lorain Company Water a 73,125 Surface water 44256
Medina Company/northwest Public Water System 46,324 Surface water 44212, 44233, 44256 +2 more
Medina City Public Water System 25,956 Surface water 44256
WADSWORTH CITY PWS 24,356 Groundwater 44203, 44274, 44281
Medina Company/southern Water District Public Water System 4,708 Groundwater 44256
SEVILLE VILLAGE PWS 2,296 Groundwater 44281

20 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 4 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 63.1% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 23.3% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 19.6% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0017 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0019 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

1 health-based contaminant have triggered violations in this district: Stage 2 DBP Rule.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 12 No 4
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 Yes 1
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No 1

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 44233 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 44233 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 44233 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 44321 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 44321 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Highland Local School District Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Highland Local School District area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 1 health-based violation. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in 8 of 8 ZIP codes. Current levels are below EPA maximums.
  • 63.1% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 11 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Highland Local School District school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.
  3. Ask about PFAS testing. PFAS have been detected in this district. Request specific PFAS testing results from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 11 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

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 Highland Local School District schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving Highland Local 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 Highland Local 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 Highland Local School District water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 9 of 9 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.

Home → School Districts → Ohio → Highland Local School District

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). PFAS Detected in Highland Local School District (OH). https://zipcheckup.com/schools/highland-local-school-district-oh/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-highland-local-school-district-oh,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{PFAS Detected in Highland Local School District (OH)}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/highland-local-school-district-oh/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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