Environmental Health and Safety

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools

continues proactive water testing

Middle and high schools built before 1989 are focus of second round

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Aug. 30, 2018 — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools announced the second phase of voluntary water testing, planned to begin Sept. 24 and to be completed by Nov. 9.

The second round of testing will include 17 high schools, 15 middle schools and three administrative sites, all built before 1989. The district said that adjustments to the schedule may be made as the process moves forward.

“This water quality effort is about being better safe than sorry because student and staff safety and well-bring are top priorities,” Dr. Clayton Wilcox, superintendent, said. “That is why we are continuing this voluntary water testing program in our schools. We’re starting with our schools built before 1989 because the EPA recommends this priority due to the age of buildings, plumbing and fixtures in them. As in the first round, we will continue to take action to keep water in schools safe.”

Increased Communications

The district will bolster communications related to the water quality program to ensure families, staff and the public are informed. Additional efforts will include letters to families, a dedicated web page and social media.

Before testing begins, CMS will send letters to families of students at the schools to be tested, informing them of the testing schedule. As results are available and any actions taken, subsequent letters will include expert data, analysis and descriptions in plain language of any actions taken and in what locations within each school.

To further increase access to this information, all letters, reports and results (when complete) will be shared on the district’s water-quality web page, which also includes a list of schools scheduled for testing (list also below).

Retained Third-Party Experts

The district has engaged AECOM, a certified independent environmental consulting firm, to conduct the second round of testing at 35 district sites. AECOM, a Charlotte-based firm, has already conducted water testing at 58 elementary schools at the district’s request. These first round results are available on the CMS Water Quality page. The cost of the second round of testing is estimated at $237,000.

Results from Round 1

The initial round of testing was conducted by AECOM at 58 older elementary schools. No water quality issues were identified that affected an entire school. "However, at 27 schools, the tests showed contaminants in the range identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as “alert levels” in some fixtures." All necessary repairs, replacements or removals have been made to specific fixtures such as faucets, spigots and water bubblers. Many of the fixtures with levels above EPA alert limits had been unused for long periods of time or were in areas inaccessible to students.

Experts available for review

Experts remain available to answer questions from any parent or staff member about results in their school by e-mailing ehs@cms.k12.nc.us.

CMS Schools to be Tested in Water Quality Program Round 2

Albemarle Road MS
Alexander Graham MS
Atrium (Education Center - CMS Main Admin Bldg)
Bishop Spaugh
Carmel MS
Cochrane (iMeck Academy)
Coulwood STEM Academy
East Mecklenburg HS
Eastway MS
Garinger HS
Harding University HS
Hawthorne Academy of Health Sciences
Independence HS
JT Williams Montessori
Kennedy MS
Leadership Academy HS
Myers Park HS
North Mecklenburg HS
Northeast MS
Northwest School of the Arts
Olympic HS
Performance Learning Center (Derita ES)
Piedmont Open MS
Providence HS
Quail Hollow MS
Randolph MS
Ranson MS
Sedgefield MS
Smith Family Center
South Mecklenburg HS
Villa Heights ES
West Charlotte HS
West Charlotte Project LIFT Academy (Graham Center)
West Mecklenburg HS
Wilson STEM Academy

Resource Download

Water Quality Testing Media Release 8-30-2018

P.O. Box 30035
Charlotte, NC 28230-0035
Phone: 980-343-3000

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools website (www.cms.k12.nc.us) is in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Any website accessibility concerns may be brought via the following, Email the Web Accessibility Team at WebAccessibility or Call: 980.343.0115. In compliance with Federal Law, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs or activities, may be referred to the District's Title IX Coordinator at titleixcoordinator or to the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education.

Report a website problem