Are Florida Students Drinking Contaminated Water? Schools Aren’t Checking

Florida Schools Failing to Test Drinking Water Safety, Fight for Zero Investigation Finds

BREVARD COUNTY, FL — A statewide public records initiative by the nonprofit organization Fight for Zero has revealed troubling inconsistencies and lapses in how Florida’s schools and colleges ensure the safety of their drinking water.

On February 27, 2019, Fight for Zero submitted public records requests to 67 school districts and 42 public colleges and universities across Florida, asking for the most recent water quality testing results. The findings show that many institutions are not testing for key contaminants, while others lack basic safety protocols to protect students and staff.

School Districts Passing Responsibility, Not Testing

• 34 school districts redirected the request to their local municipalities, acknowledging that they do not conduct independent water testing for schools.

• 25 school districts and colleges provided results for coliform and E. coli testing—a concerningly small number considering the health risks.

At North Florida Community College, for instance, a water sample taken from an on-campus pond tested positive for dangerously high levels of E. coli, a pathogen that can cause severe illness and kidney damage—particularly in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Outdated Testing and Unregulated Wells

Some Florida schools are still using well water, which may not be treated or regularly tested by local or state authorities. Federal law does not mandate testing of private or certain non-community wells, leaving significant safety gaps.

Incredibly, Okeechobee County School District’s last reported drinking water test was conducted in 1991, despite serving a student population today. Other districts such as Broward County, Citrus County, and Fort Myers Technical College failed to respond at all, despite requirements under Florida’s Public Records Act.

Lead in Drinking Water: A Silent Risk

Despite widespread media coverage of the Flint, Michigan crisis and documented instances of lead contamination in Florida schools—including Hillsborough, Polk, Okaloosa, Monroe, and DeSoto Counties—only 22 out of 109 school districts or public colleges and universities reported testing for lead in their drinking water.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states there is no safe level of lead for children, with even low-level exposure linked to learning disabilities, developmental delays, and behavioral issues.

PFAS: An Emerging, Largely Ignored Contaminant

Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—toxic chemicals found in firefighting foam and industrial waste—pose another severe risk. Out of six colleges with fire training facilities, only Chipola College conducted PFAS testing (January 31, 2019), reporting no detection. PFAS are known for their persistence in water systems and are linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and immune system damage.

Protecting Students is Affordable—and Necessary

Preventive measures, such as installing filters on water fountains, are cost-effective. A 2019 study by the Leon County School District found that ensuring water safety at all student-accessible fountains would cost just $122,625—a fraction of its $263 million annual budget.

Despite this, many districts have made no moves to implement testing or mitigation systems, leaving children at risk.

Transparency Needed

Fight for Zero’s investigation highlights the lack of oversight and transparency regarding drinking water in Florida schools. As concerns over lead, E. coli, PFAS, and other contaminants grow, public institutions must act with urgency and accountability.

“Clean water should be non-negotiable—especially in our schools,” said Stel Bailey, Executive Director of Fight for Zero. “This isn’t just about compliance—it’s about protecting Florida’s future.”

Access the Data

Fight for Zero has made all available test results obtained through public records requests accessible online. [View the full test result database here]