Lead Testing of School Drinking Water

October 22, 2020

NOTICE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS and STAFF
Douglas Grafflin Elementary School
Roaring Brook Elementary School
Westorchard Elementary School
Horace Greeley High School

Safe and healthy school environments can foster healthy and successful children. To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department (NYSDOH) regulations require that all public schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. If lead is found at any water outlet at levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L), the NYSDOH requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.

What is first draw testing of school drinking water for lead?
The “on-again, off-again” nature of water use at most schools can raise lead levels in school drinking water. Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead. This is why schools are required to collect a sample after the water has been sitting in the plumbing system for a certain period of time. This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously. However, even if the first draw sample does not reflect what you would see with continuous usage, it is still important because it can identify outlets that have elevated lead levels.

What are the results of the first draw testing?
All water outlets were tested and the only outlets with levels over 15 ppb were the following:

Douglas Grafflin Elementary School
Date Sample ID Floor Location Lead Level (ppb)
10/02/20 001-Kitchen-KF-P-001 1st Kitchen, Pot Filler, 1 1680
10/02/20 01-Kitchen-KF-P-02 1st Kitchen, Pot Filler, 2 27.3
10/02/20 02-224-CF-P-15 2nd Room 224, Sink 15 30.0

What is being done in response to the DG results?
Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level (15 ppb) were removed from service. The two kitchen pot sinks were already out of service and have not been in use since March 16, 2020. Signs were posted at the outlets indicating that the outlets are out of use. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

The two pot filler sinks have been removed from the kitchen and the pipes have been capped off. The faucet in room 224 was replaced and flushed as per DOH regulations for new installations. It will remain a non-drinking sink until the sink is retested. The District will follow the recommended post-remediation testing. The re-testing will happen during the week of October 26th.

Roaring Brook Elementary School
Date Sample ID Floor Location Lead Level (ppb)
10/02/20 001-CAF-KF-P-06 1st Kitchen, Faucet 16.8

What is being done in response to the RB results?
The outlet that tested with lead levels above the action level (15 ppb) was not in service this year. A sign was posted at the outlet indicating that the outlet is out of use. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

The District has replaced the faucet at the location shown above; and followed the recommended installation and post-remediation testing. Re-testing has been scheduled for the week of October 26th. 

Westorchard Elementary School
Date Sample ID Floor Location Lead Level (ppb)
10/17/20 01-E5-CF-P-6 1st Room E5, Hand Washing Sink 64.7

What is being done in response to the WO results?
The water to the outlet that tested with lead levels above the action level (15 ppb) has been shut off. A sign has also been posted at the outlet, indicating that the outlet is out of use. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

The District replaced the faucet and the feed lines on the same day that the results were shared with the District. We are now awaiting a retest from the testing company. 

Horace Greeley High School
Date Sample ID Floor Location Lead Level (ppb)
9/30/20 1-Trainer-CF-P-8 1st Trainer Room, Sink 23.8

What is being done in response to the HG results?
The outlet that tested with lead levels above the action level (15 ppb) was removed from service. A sign was posted at the outlet indicating that the outlet is out of use. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

The school district has replaced the faucet at the location shown above; and followed the recommended installation and post-remediation testing. The re-testing of this outlet has been scheduled for the week of October 26th.

What are the health effects of lead?
Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies. Lead is a known neurotoxin, particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of children under 6 years old. Lead can harm a young child's growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Lead exposure during pregnancy may contribute to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. There are many sources of lead exposure in the environment, and it is important to reduce all lead exposures as much as possible. Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.

What are the other sources of lead exposure?
Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in widespread distribution in the environment.  Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing, and lead that built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing. Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics. Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead. The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood-lead levels is lead-based paint.

Should your child be tested for lead?
The risk to an individual child from past exposure to elevated lead in drinking water depends on many factors; for example, a child’s age, weight, amount of water consumed, and the amount of lead in the water. Children may also be exposed to other significant sources of lead including paint, soil and dust. Since blood lead testing is the only way to determine a child’s blood lead level, parents should discuss their child’s health history with their child’s physician to determine if blood lead testing is appropriate. Pregnant women or women of childbearing age should also consider discussing this matter with their physician.

Additional Resources


For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, please contact me at (914) 238-7210, or go to the Buildings & Grounds section of our District website.

Sincerely,

Joseph Gramando
Director of Facilities, Operations & Maintenance