Hello SGI Families,
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 (NYS DOH) 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 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 were our results at SGI?
For context, the threshold was lowered for this cycle of testing from 15 ppb to 5 ppb. Across the district, after testing 345 total fixtures, we had 66 fixtures that did not pass according to this new threshold. 11 of those fixtures were water fountains. All 11 were still below the old threshold of 15ppb but above the new threshold of 5 ppb.
How is the water tested?
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 steps have we taken and what steps will we take?
Our normal protocol is to now retest all 66 of these fixtures for accuracy. In the meantime, as of this moring, Friday, November 7th, we have disabled the water fountains and any sinks used for food preparation and put “Do Not Drink” signs on each one. Sinks used only for hand washing can remain in service, but now have a “Do Not Drink” sign posted. Once we retest each fixture, if the reading is below the 5ppb threshold, we will remove the sign and re-enable the fixture. If it is still above the new threshold, we will have to leave the fixture disabled and/or the sign posted while we investigate any additional remediation strategies, such as fixture replacement.
For information about lead in school drinking water, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/lead_testing_of_school_drinking_water.htm
In the near future, we will be posting the report with all testing results on our website. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
James Bialasik
Superintendent of Schools