October 27, 2025

Lead Levels Detected in Asheville Schools’ Water Supply

Asheville, October 27, 2025

News Summary

Lead levels have been detected in the water supply at several schools in Asheville, raising serious concerns for student safety following Hurricane Helene. Testing revealed lead presence in seven public schools and one private institution. Although no students consumed the contaminated water, bottled water is being provided and measures such as disabling water fountains and installing NSF-certified filters are being implemented. Health experts recommend lead testing for pregnant women and children under six who may have been exposed.

Asheville – Lead levels have been detected in water at several schools in the Asheville area, raising concerns about the safety of drinking water for students following Hurricane Helene. During a briefing on November 14, Clay Chandler from Buncombe County Water Resources reported that an investigative sampling program revealed lead presence at seven schools in Asheville City and Buncombe County, as well as one private school, Odyssey Community School. The results of the testing, which was conducted from October 17 to October 24, were updated in real-time on the water services recovery website.

Schools affected by lead detection include:

Lead-detecting schools in Buncombe County:
- Oakley Elementary School
- Sand Hill Elementary School
- Charles C. Bell Elementary School
- Glen Arden Elementary School
Lead-detecting schools in Asheville City:
- Lucy Herring Elementary School
- Hall-Fletcher Elementary School

No students have consumed tap water at any of the affected schools, and as a precaution, bottled water is being provided. The schools are also disabling water fountains and taking measures to comply with EPA guidance by installing NSF-certified filters to reduce lead levels. Additionally, plumbing and fixtures that may increase lead exposure, especially those installed before 1988, should be replaced. The water treatment protocols recommend flushing any water being boiled for use for 30-120 seconds before use.

Health experts emphasize that even low levels of lead exposure can negatively impact children’s health, potentially causing brain and nervous system damage, delayed growth, learning difficulties, and hearing/speech problems. The CDC recommends that pregnant or breastfeeding individuals, as well as children under six who may have consumed the affected water, seek lead testing.

To support residents concerned about their health, the Buncombe County Health Department has established a Blood Lead Information Line for inquiries. Additionally, residents can access free lead testing by contacting Buncombe County Water Resources. Future resampling of the affected schools and residences will take place at one month, three months, and six months after corrections to water treatment have been made.

During the initial sampling period, 159 samples were collected, with nine showing detectable lead levels. Of these, three exceeded the action level of 0.015 parts per million. Remarkably, flushing the water for 30 seconds after it had sat in pipes for six hours resulted in zero detectable lead levels in the samples. Water samples from the North Fork Water Treatment Plant showed no lead or copper levels prior to treatment, which began in July 2024. In response to high demand, Asheville Water is collaborating with local agencies to increase access to testing kits.

Citizens are encouraged to frequently check for updates regarding the lead situation in water and the protective measures in place at local schools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was detected in the water at Asheville-area schools?

Lead levels were detected in water at several area elementary schools.

What schools are affected by lead detection?

Oakley Elementary School
Sand Hill Elementary School
Charles C. Bell Elementary School
Glen Arden Elementary School
Lucy Herring Elementary School
Hall-Fletcher Elementary School
Odyssey Community School (private institution)

What measures are being taken to ensure student safety?

Bottled water is being provided, water fountains are being disabled, and NSF-certified filters are being installed to reduce lead levels.

What guidelines are being recommended for water usage?

A flushing protocol is recommended for any water being boiled for use, advised to run for 30-120 seconds before use.

Who should seek lead testing?

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals and children under six who may have consumed the affected water are encouraged to seek lead testing.

Key Features of the Lead Detection Issue

Feature	Details
Detection Period	October 17 to October 24
Results Availability	Updated in real time on water services recovery website
Sample Count	159 samples collected
Schools with Detected Lead	7 Public Schools, 1 Private School
Action Level Exceeded	3 samples exceeded 0.015 parts per million
Flushing Protocol Result	Zero detectable lead levels post-flushing
Testing Accessibility	Free testing available