Is School Water Safe to Drink: What Parents Should Know

Recent testing across the U.S. has uncovered a number of concerning contaminants in school drinking water, from fountains to faucets. These include lead, bacteria and viruses, PFAS chemicals, and even chlorine byproducts. Let’s break each one down:

PFAS, widely known as ‘forever chemicals’ — have been detected in schools across the U.S. A tribal school in Minnesota recently had PFAS levels of 160 parts per trillion, which is about 40x higher than proposed federal safety limits. These synthetic compounds don’t break down in the environment and have been linked to health issues including immune suppression, certain cancers, and developmental delays. Studies also suggest that PFAS may spread through school wastewater into local water supplies, highlighting just how persistent and widespread exposure risks can be. Some states, like Maine, have begun actively monitoring PFAS levels in public water systems to better protect schools and surrounding communities.

Most public water systems, including those serving schools, add chlorine or chloramine to kill pathogens. Safe levels are regulated up to 4 ppm per EPA standards. While chlorination is effective in preventing microbial contamination, it can produce disinfection by-products like trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), which some studies have linked to increased cancer risk.

Even though schools are meant to be safe spaces for learning and growth, the water students drink there isn’t always as safe as it should be. One of the biggest reasons? Aging infrastructure. Many school buildings across the country still rely on plumbing installed decades ago — long before we fully understood the health risks of materials like lead. Old pipes, solder, and fixtures can leach harmful contaminants into the water, especially when water sits stagnant during long breaks.

Another issue is that routine water testing isn’t always required. While some states have their own guidelines, not all schools are federally mandated to test for contaminants like lead or PFAS regularly. And even when testing is done, the results don’t always lead to immediate fixes. Often due to budget limitations or unclear responsibility between school districts and local utilities. Without consistent monitoring and timely maintenance, problems can go unnoticed, putting students at risk of exposure.

In Aquasana’s 7th Annual Water Quality Survey, we asked parents if they’re concerned about the water quality at their child’s school and found that 66% of parents are concerned. Here’s a breakdown of parent responses to this question over time:

From 2021-2023, concern was increasing each year — but it’s gradually declined since. This could possibly be due to growing public awareness of federal action and assumptions that the issue will be addressed, like the EPA’s revisions to the Lead and Copper Rule had a compliance deadline of Oct 2024. Still, more than half of parents remain concerned, signaling further action is needed.

With inconsistent testing and aging infrastructure, it’s hard to know if your child’s school water is truly safe. While some schools may test regularly, others don’t. Contaminants like lead, PFAS, and chlorine can be difficult to detect without proper monitoring. That uncertainty leaves many families wondering how to protect their children throughout the school day.

One of the simplest and most effective steps is to send your child to school with a reusable bottle filled with filtered water from home. It gives you peace of mind and helps your child avoid relying on water fountains or cafeteria taps that may not be regularly tested or maintained.

For the highest level of protection, consider using a system like Aquasana’s SmartFlow® Reverse Osmosis, which removes up to 99.99% of 90 contaminants, including lead, PFAS, chlorine, and more. Clean water starts at home, and giving your child access to it all day long is one of the most powerful ways to support their health, focus, and well-being.