Winters ISD Detects Lead in Some School Drinking Water

WINTERS, TX — Winters Independent School District officials said lead was detected in some drinking water samples collected at school outlets, prompting short-term, long-term and permanent control measures. 

In a letter dated April 23, Superintendent Kathy Horner notified parents, guardians, colleagues and partners that the district had completed testing through the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s voluntary Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program. The program provides free training and guidance to reduce children’s exposure to lead in drinking water.

“Upon receiving results from TCEQ, we were given reports indicating that lead was detected in some of the samples, and we are implementing short term, long-term, and permanent control measures,” the letter states. 

For any outlets testing at or above 15 parts per billion — a commonly recognized threshold for action — the district has temporarily posted “Do Not Use” signs and blocked access as a short-term measure. Longer-term and permanent steps may include removing outlets from service, converting them to hand-wash-only stations, plumbing updates or adding filters. 

The letter notes that lead can come from older pipes, taps, solder and other plumbing materials. It directs readers to the Environmental Protection Agency’s page on lead in drinking water for more information on sources and health effects. 

A full list of test results is available on the TCEQ program webpage at texasleadtesting.org. Additional details about the program are available by email at [email protected] or by calling the helpline at (737) 276-1987. 

The district said it is working with the City of Winters and the Region 15 ESC Headstart Program to share the results with the community. 

Routine practices recommended to minimize lead exposure include running cold water for a few minutes before drinking — especially after the water has not been used for several hours — using only cold water for drinking and food preparation, avoiding non-potable fixtures such as lab faucets or hoses, and using filters certified to remove lead by NSF or the Water Quality Association.