Lead Testing of School Drinking Water

 
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 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. 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?
 

Samples Collected on March 20, 2025
School Building	Room	Function/Space	Floor	Fixture Type	Sample Results
District Office	Staff Breakroom	Breakroom	1	Faucet	8.3 ppb
French Road	Kitchen	Kitchen	1	Steam Kettle	6.4 ppb
TCMS	Kitchen	Kitchen	1	Tilt Skillet Fill	14.5 ppb
TCMS	R400	Family and Consumer  Science	3	Faucet	14.6 ppb
High School	Kitchen	Prep Sink	1	Faucet	5.6 ppb
High School	R154	Special Education Classroom	1	Faucet	5.6 ppb
High School	Main Office	Kitchenette	2	Faucet	13.1 ppb

 
What is being done in response to the results?
 
The district’s periodic water testing resulted in 7 outlets that tested above the action level.  None of the seven faucets and/or the kitchen equipment identified are primary sources of drinking water for students, faculty or staff.  Regardless, direct and immediate action has been taken in each location as indicated below.
 

School Building	Room	Function/ Space	Fixture Type	Response Action
District Office	Staff Breakroom	Breakroom	Faucet	Water shut off and faucet will be replaced. A water filter will be installed and faucet re-tested.
French Road	Kitchen	Kitchen	Steam Jacket Kettle	Water shut off and appliance is to be removed permanently from kitchen.
TCMS	Kitchen	Kitchen	Tilt Skillet Fill	Water shut off and fill fixture will be replaced.  A water filter will be installed and fixture re-tested.
TCMS	R400	Family and Consumer  Science	Faucet	Water shut off and fixture to be removed in upcoming classroom renovation project.
High School	Kitchen	Prep Sink	Faucet	Water shut off and sink is to be removed permanently from kitchen.
High School	R154	Special Education Classroom	Faucet	Water shut off and fill fixture will be replaced.  A water filter will be installed and fixture re-tested.
High School	Main Office	Kitchenette	Faucet	Water shut off and fill fixture will be replaced.  A water filter will be installed and fixture re-tested.

 
Faucets and water outlets throughout the district that are not used for drinking or cooking were not tested and a sign was posted at each outlet indicating that the sink is not to be used for drinking. 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 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 John Novelli, Director of Buildings and Grounds at (585) 242-5200 ext. 4600, or go to the Brighton CSD website: Water Quality Testing Results
 
For information about lead in school drinking water, go to:
NYS Lead in School Drinking Water 
NYS Department of Education Lead in Drinking Water Information
 
For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to:
NYS Department of Health Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
 
For more information on blood lead testing and ways to reduce your child’s risk of
exposure to lead, see “What Your Child’s Blood Lead Test Means”:
What Your Child’s Blood Lead Test Means
 
NYSDOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Publications