School District Report SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Lexington School District (KY)

39 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · 11,680,539 people served · Updated 2026-06-04

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

C · 55
Avg Safety Score
39
ZIP Codes
8
Water Systems
0
Violations (5yr)
0.009 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
15
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 Lexington School District in Kentucky spans 39 ZIP codes served by 8 community water systems, providing water to approximately 11,680,539 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (55/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 50/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 82% 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) 0.009 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.009 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 39 —

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 15 of 39 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: 6:2 FTS, PFPeA, PFBA, PFHxA, PFBS.

Highest measured level: 0.0111 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

No EPA violations recorded across any water systems serving this school district in the past 5 years.

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

39 of 39 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?
40502 Lexington C (55) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40503 Lexington D (50) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40504 Lexington D (50) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40505 Lexington C (55) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40506 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40507 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40508 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40509 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40510 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40511 Lexington C (55) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40512 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40513 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40514 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40515 Lexington D (50) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40516 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40517 Lexington C (55) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40522 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40523 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40524 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40526 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40533 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40536 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40544 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40546 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40550 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40555 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40574 Lexington C (60) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40575 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40576 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40577 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40578 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40579 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40580 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40581 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40582 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40583 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40588 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40591 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 mg/L No
40598 Lexington D (53) 0 0 0.009 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. Consider a water filter for your home — NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
  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 Lexington School District schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving Lexington 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 Lexington 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 Lexington School District water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 15 of 39 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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