Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT PFAS DETECTED

Sarasota County School District (FL): 40 Health Violations

28 ZIP codes · 25 water systems · 4,601,308 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Sarasota County School District: 51 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

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

B · 77
Avg Safety Score
28
ZIP Codes
25
Water Systems
142
Violations (5yr)
0.0013 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
25
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 Sarasota County School District in Florida spans 28 ZIP codes served by 25 community water systems, providing water to approximately 4,601,308 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is B (77/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 60/100 .

Water quality in this district ranks better than 68% 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) 0.0013 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0061 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 28 -

PFAS Contamination

PFAS ("forever chemicals") detected in 25 of 28 ZIP codes in this district.

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

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

40 health-based violations recorded across 26 of 28 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 51 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 43 Yes 24
Contaminant 1009 Other 26 Yes 13
Total Coliform Microbiological 21 No 21
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 16 No 15
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 15 No 15
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 13 No 13
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 6 Yes 3
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No 2

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low risk)

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
34231 Sarasota B (77) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34232 Sarasota B (77) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34233 Sarasota A (87) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34234 Sarasota B (82) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34235 Sarasota A (87) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34236 Sarasota B (72) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34237 Sarasota B (77) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34238 Sarasota B (82) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34239 Sarasota B (77) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34240 Sarasota B (82) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34241 Sarasota B (82) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34242 Sarasota B (72) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34243 Sarasota B (77) 8 3 0.0005 mg/L No
34228 Longboat Key C (63) 6 0 0.0009 mg/L No
34266 Arcadia B (71) 6 1 0.0023 mg/L No
34286 North Port B (79) 3 0 0.0019 mg/L No
34287 North Port B (74) 3 0 0.0019 mg/L No
34288 North Port A (89) 3 0 0.0019 mg/L No
34289 North Port A (89) 3 0 0.0019 mg/L No
34291 North Port B (79) 3 0 0.0019 mg/L No
34223 Englewood B (70) 2 0 0.0061 mg/L No
34224 Englewood B (75) 2 0 0.0061 mg/L No
34285 Venice B (74) 2 0 0.0003 mg/L No
34292 Venice B (79) 2 0 0.0003 mg/L No
34293 Venice B (79) 2 0 0.0003 mg/L No
34275 Nokomis B (78) 1 0 0.0004 mg/L No
34229 Osprey C (60) 0 0 — —
34251 Myakka City C (60) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
Manatee County Utilities Department 347,800 Surface water 34234, 34243, 34251
Sarasota Company Special Util District 272,267 Surface water 34223, 34229, 34231 +20 more
Charlotte County Utilities 172,040 Surface water 34224
North Port Utilities 61,163 Surface water 34286, 34287, 34288 +3 more
Sarasota-city of 55,364 Groundwater 34231, 34232, 34233 +10 more
Englewood Water District 38,265 Groundwater 34223, 34224, 34293
City of Venice Water Department 31,358 Groundwater 34240, 34241, 34266 +6 more
Pluris-south Gate Utilities 15,897 Surface water 34231, 34232, 34233 +10 more

25 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 44.4% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 2.1% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 12.7% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0013 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0061 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

3 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Contaminant 1009, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM).
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 43 Yes 24
Contaminant 1009 Other 26 Yes 13
Total Coliform Microbiological 21 No 21
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 16 No 15
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 15 No 15
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 13 No 13
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 6 Yes 3
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No 2

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 34223 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 34223 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 34224 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 34224 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 34228 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Sarasota County School District Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Sarasota County School District area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 40 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in 25 of 28 ZIP codes. Current levels are below EPA maximums.
  • 44.4% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 51 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 Sarasota County 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 51 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 Sarasota County School District schools?

Water systems serving Sarasota County School District have recorded 40 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 Sarasota County 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 Sarasota County School District water?

Yes, PFAS have been detected in 25 of 28 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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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Sarasota County School District (FL): 40 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/sarasota-county-school-district-fl/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-sarasota-county-school-district-fl,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Sarasota County School District (FL): 40 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/sarasota-county-school-district-fl/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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