Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

Oklahoma City Public Schools (OK): 5 Health Violations

35 ZIP codes · 20 water systems · 18,128,617 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Oklahoma City Public Schools: 66 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

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

A · 86
Avg Safety Score
35
ZIP Codes
20
Water Systems
97
Violations (5yr)
0.0041 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
33
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 Oklahoma City Public Schools in Oklahoma spans 35 ZIP codes served by 20 community water systems, providing water to approximately 18,128,617 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is A (86/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 63/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 84% 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) 0.0041 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0114 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 35 -

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 33 of 35 ZIP codes in this district.

Detected compounds: PFPeA, PFBA, PFHxA.

Highest measured level: 0.007 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

5 health-based violations recorded across 35 of 35 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 66 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Contaminant 4100 Other 32 No 31
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 31 No 31
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 10 Yes 4
Total Coliform Microbiological 5 No 1
Contaminant 2274 Other 3 No 2
Contaminant 2959 Other 3 No 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 3 No 1
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 3 No 3

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
73020 Choctaw C (63) 14 0 0.0114 mg/L No
73066 Nicoma Park A (93) 11 2 0.001 mg/L No
73013 Edmond A (89) 5 1 0.0008 mg/L No
73084 Spencer B (81) 4 1
73049 Jones B (81) 3 1
73102 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73103 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73104 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73105 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73106 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73107 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73108 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73109 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73110 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73111 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73112 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73114 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73115 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73116 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73117 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73118 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73119 Oklahoma City B (76) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73120 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73121 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73129 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73130 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73131 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73135 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73139 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73141 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73142 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73149 Oklahoma City A (91) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73151 Oklahoma City A (95) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73159 Oklahoma City B (81) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No
73162 Oklahoma City A (86) 2 0 0.0041 mg/L No

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
OKLAHOMA CITY 644,000 Surface water 73013, 73020, 73049 +31 more
Edmond Pwa 79,408 Surface water 73013, 73049, 73114
Tinker Air Force Base 24,645 Groundwater 73102, 73103, 73104 +27 more
Yukon 22,498 Surface water 73119, 73159
Mustang 18,576 Surface water 73139, 73159
Falls Creek Baptist Conference Center 7,000 Surface water 73102, 73103, 73104 +27 more
Deer Creek Rural Water Corporation 5,500 Groundwater 73013, 73120, 73142, 73162
Harrah 4,190 Groundwater 73020

20 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 25 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 67.2% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 18.1% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 19.4% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0041 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0114 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
Contaminant 4100 Other 32 No 31
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 31 No 31
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 10 Yes 4
Total Coliform Microbiological 5 No 1
Contaminant 2959 Other 3 No 3
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 3 No 1
Contaminant 2274 Other 3 No 2
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 3 No 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 3 No 1
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 No 2

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 73013 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 73013 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 73013 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 73013 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 73013 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Oklahoma City Public Schools Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Oklahoma City Public Schools area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 5 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in 33 of 35 ZIP codes. Current levels are below EPA maximums.
  • 67.2% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 66 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 Oklahoma City Public Schools 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 66 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 Oklahoma City Public Schools schools?

Water systems serving Oklahoma City Public Schools have recorded 5 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Oklahoma City Public Schools 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 Oklahoma City Public Schools water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 33 of 35 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.

HomeSchool DistrictsOklahoma → Oklahoma City Public Schools

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Oklahoma City Public Schools (OK): 5 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/oklahoma-city-public-schools-ok/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-oklahoma-city-public-schools-ok,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Oklahoma City Public Schools (OK): 5 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/oklahoma-city-public-schools-ok/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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