School District Report SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

PFAS Detected in Louisville School District (KY)

66 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · 50,474,754 people served · Updated 2026-06-04

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

C · 65

Avg Safety Score

ZIP Codes

Water Systems

Violations (5yr)

0.0011 mg/L

Avg Lead Level

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 Louisville School District in Kentucky spans 66 ZIP codes served by 5 community water systems, providing water to approximately 50,474,754 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (65/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 55/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 59% 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)	0.0011 mg/L	0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level	0.0011 mg/L	0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level	0 of 66	—

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 34 of 66 ZIP codes in this district.

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

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

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)

65 of 66 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	Lead Level	Exceeds?
40201	Louisville	B (83)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40202	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40203	Louisville	B (70)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40204	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40205	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40206	Louisville	C (60)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40207	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40208	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40209	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40210	Louisville	B (70)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40211	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40212	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40213	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40214	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40215	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40216	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40217	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40218	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40219	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40220	Louisville	C (60)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40221	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40222	Louisville	C (55)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40223	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40224	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40225	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40228	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40229	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40231	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40232	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40233	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40241	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40242	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40243	Louisville	B (70)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40245	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40250	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40251	Louisville	B (70)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40252	Louisville	B (70)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40253	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40255	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40256	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40257	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40258	Louisville	C (60)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40259	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40261	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40266	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40268	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40269	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40270	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40272	Louisville	C (60)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40280	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40281	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40282	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40283	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40285	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40287	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40289	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40290	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40291	Louisville	C (65)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40292	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40293	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40294	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40295	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40296	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40297	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40298	Louisville	C (66)	0.0011 mg/L	No
40299	Louisville	C (60)	0.0011 mg/L	No

What Parents Can Do

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.
Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
Test your home's water — Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
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.
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).
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 Louisville School District schools?

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

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 34 of 66 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

Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
School districts: NCES EDGE Geographic Relationship Files
PFAS: EPA ECHO
Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

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