Facilities Management

To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department (NYS DOH) regulations require that all public schools 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 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter (µg/L), the NYS DOH 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.

What are the results of the first draw testing?

First draw sampling results show that school district wide, there were 30 fixtures that had results above the new 5 ppb standard. Sixteen at West Street School, one at North Street School, six in the middle school and seven at the high school. All drinking fountains and bottle filling stations, with the exception of the drinking fountain in the middle school band room (which is turned off), tested well below the maximum threshold set by the Department of Health.

Sample #	Location	Outlet Type	Notes	Date	Time	Concentration (ug/L)
West Street Elementary
WES-4-1	Classroom 4	Tap		4/16/25	719	9.3
WES-5-1L	Head Start 5	Tap	Left	4/16/25	720	8.4
WES-5-2R	Head Start 5	Tap	Right	4/16/25	720	18.1
WES-6-2R	Head Start 6	Tap	Right	4/16/25	721	6.4
WES-7-2	Conference Room	Sprayer		4/16/25	722	12.5
WES-8-1L	Music	Tap		4/16/25	724	6.6
WES-8-2R	Music	Tap		4/16/25	724	7.1
WES-30-1	Classroom 30	Tap		4/16/25	733	5.3
WES-29-1	Classroom 29	Tap		4/16/25	734	7.5
WES-68-1	Classroom 68	Tap		4/16/25	738	11.3
WES-37-1	Classroom 37	Tap		4/16/25	756	5.3
WES-38-1	Classroom 38	Tap		4/16/25	758	5.9
WES-40-1	Classroom 40	Tap		4/16/25	800	10.3
WES-41-1	Classroom 41	Tap		4/16/25	802	8.1
WES-42-1	Classroom 42	Tap		4/16/25	803	7.3
WES-43-1	Classroom 43	Tap		4/16/25	804	7.9
North Street Elementary
NSE-281-2R	Music Room	Tap	Right	4/16/25	821	15.7
Middle School
GMS-BAND-1L	Band	Drinking Fountain	Left	4/16/25	951	33.9
GMS-BAND-2R	Band	Drinking Fountain	Right	4/16/25	951	47.7
GMS-KIT-1D	Kitchen	Pot Filler	D-Wall, 1st	4/16/25	957	7.9
GMS-KIT-2D	Kitchen	Pot Filler	D-Wall, 2nd	4/16/25	958	5.1
GMS-KIT-4D	Kitchen	Pot Filler	D-Wall, 4th	4/16/25	1000	15.8
GMS-KIT-5B	Kitchen	Overhead Sprayer	B-Wall	4/16/25	1001	47.6
High School
GHS-CON-1	Outside Concessions	Tap		4/16/25	1028	7
GHS-H403-1A	Concession	Tap	A-Wall, Left	4/16/25	1036	5.4
GHS-117-2	Teachers Room	Sprayer		4/16/25	1039	9.1
GHS-H236-1A	Home EC	Tap	A-Wall	4/16/25	1057	6.5
GHS-H236-4C	Home EC	Tap	C-Wall	4/16/25	1059	7.2
GHS-EXLOC-1	Locker Hose Bib	Hose Bib		4/16/25	1114	27.6
GHS-BLEACH-1	Bleachers	Bottle Filler	Running	4/16/25	1116	22.6

What is being done in response to the results?

Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level (5 ppb) were removed from service unless an outlet is a sink faucet needed for handwashing. In that case, a sign was posted at the outlet indicating that the sink is for HAND-WASHING ONLY. West Street School’s new fixtures have been ordered for all locations except one, which will be eliminated. A North Street school fixture has been ordered. Middle school fixtures have been replaced, and a drinking fountain will be delivered the week of June 9, 2025. The high school replacement fixtures are on order, with locations not used for handwashing turned off. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

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 exposure 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 has 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, including but not limited to, 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, contact Director of Facilities Mike Reifsteck at (315) 781-4123 ext. 6000.

DOH Lead Testing of School Drinking Water

NYSED Lead Testing in School Drinking Water

NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program

Lead Poisoning Prevention Publications (available in multiple languages)