Lead Testing of Drinking Water
Memo from Superintendent Barbara J. Lemen
Date: 11/8/16
NYSSB is committed to protecting student and staff health. As you know, NYSSB tested our school’s drinking water for lead.
Why Test School Drinking Water for Lead?
High levels of lead in drinking water can cause health problems. Lead is most dangerous for pregnant women, infants, and children under 6 years old. Exposure to high levels of lead during pregnancy contributes to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. In young children, lead exposure can lower IQ levels, affect hearing, reduce attention span, and hurt school performance. At very high levels, lead can even cause brain damage.
To protect public health, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that schools and day care facilities test their drinking water for lead. If lead is found at any water outlet at levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb), EPA recommends taking action to reduce the lead.
Is Our School’s Drinking Water Safe?
Yes, our school’s water is safe. NYSSB tested our drinking water for lead. Of the 97 water samples we tested, only 20 showed lead levels above the 15 ppb mark. In other words, 79% of the water outlets tested did not have any lead problems. We subsequently flushed the systems of those 20 locations, retested per guidelines, and only 5 (indicated by * in chart below) of those 20 showed lead levels above the 15 ppb mark. All locations that were above the 15 ppb mark were taken out of service. There are adequate drinking water supply locations within the school so these out-of-service locations do not affect the students/staff access to drinking water. Below is a list of the locations with results above 15 ppb.
Sample ID # |
Location |
Type of Fixture |
Above 15 ppb After Flushing |
K258 |
KH Bathroom/Apt |
Hand washing station |
No |
K256 |
KH Bathroom/Apt |
Hand washing station |
*Yes |
H226A |
HC Clinic 2 |
Hand washing station |
No |
H226B |
HC Clinic 2 |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH1 |
LKH Rec Room |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH3 |
LKH Bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH4 |
LKH Bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH6 |
LKH Common area |
Hand washing station |
*Yes |
LKH7 |
LKH Common area |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH8 |
LKH Common area |
Hand washing station |
No |
LKH9 |
LKH Common area |
Hand washing station |
No |
BCV108 |
BCV Bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
BCV124 |
BCV Common area |
Hand washing station |
*Yes |
SC126 |
SC Bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
RE174 |
RE Bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
Sample ID # |
Location |
Type of Fixture |
Above 15 ppb After Flushing |
P116B |
Boys Locker Room |
Hand washing station |
No |
P108B |
Girls Locker Room |
Hand washing station |
No |
P128 |
Outside of Gym |
Drinking Fountain |
No |
PE2 |
Student Lounge |
Hand washing station |
*Yes |
M2 |
Maintenance bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
M3 |
Maintenance bathroom |
Hand washing station |
No |
PL14 |
Park Lewis Basement |
Hand washing station |
No |
PL10 |
Park Lewis Office |
Hand washing station |
*Yes |
We identified the source of the lead so that the problems can be fixed. The faucet and inlet lines for these locations are made of lead parts and water is not frequently drawn through these fixtures. Until it was banned in 1986, lead was often used in plumbing materials. The same action will be taken for each location: remain out of service until fixtures can be replaced and a filter system can be added to the water line. We are in the process of purchasing lead filtration systems for each area that had any supply above the 15 ppb. These systems are intended to filter the entire area supplied by the main water line to that area. Additionally, we intend to purchase new certified lead free fixtures for each area to further assure staff/students that the water is within acceptable limits. Finally, although only one drinking fountain was over the limit, we intend to replace all drinking fountains in the school with filtered fountains.
How Can I Learn More?
You can see a copy of all of our water testing results at the School’s business office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. For information about water quality in our School or to make an appointment to view the results, please contact Sharon Crossen at 585-343-5384 ext. 250. For information about water quality and sampling for lead at home, contact your local water supplier or State drinking water agency.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Lemen
Superintendent