The NYS Department of Health (NYS DOH) issued regulations, subpart 67-4 of Title 10 of the Codes, Rules, and Regulations to the State of New York to conform with Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016.
On September 6, 2016, Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016 was signed requiring all public school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in NYS to test drinking water for lead contamination, and to take remedial action if lead exceeded the actionable level.
The action level for lead in school drinking water is 15 micrograms per liter or parts per billion (ppb). Lead test results ≤ 15 ppb do not exceed the lead action level, and therefore do not require further testing or remediation. Lead test results > 15 ppb (i.e., 15.1 ppb, or greater) exceeds the lead action level and requires the outlet to be taken out of service and a remediation action plan be implemented.
The Geneva City School District recently tested all functioning bubblers/drinking fountains, classroom sinks, classroom combination sinks and drinking fountains, kitchen sinks, kitchen kettle filler outlets, bathroom sinks, family and consumer sciences room sinks, teachers’ lounge sinks, nurse’s office sinks, athletic field outlets and any other sink known to be or potentially used for consumption at all four schools. Twenty of the 404 outlets tested exceeded the lead action level and were taken out of service immediately and have been remediated. All 20 deficient outlets have been retested and will remain out of service until a negative lab test is received.