New Water Testing Standards

The District is required to periodically conduct water tests for lead levels in the drinking water. Based on revisions to Public Health Law §1110, lead action levels have been reduced from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 5 ppb. The District is now mandated to conduct additional water testing no later than December 31, 2025 and post copies of the results and remediation plans on the District website.

The following plan was created to ensure the District is in compliance with the revised standards:

Phase 1:  (March/April 2025)

Test and review results of approximately 85 corridor drinking fountains and ice machines at all schools in March/April to ensure enough time to take any required corrective actions in late spring and over the summer.

Phase 2:  (June 2025)

Determine and document all applicable drinking water outlets, and post non-potable signage at any other non-applicable water outlets in all schools (showers, bathroom sinks, science sinks, art sinks, custodial sinks, external hose bibs, etc.)  Test all remaining (non-posted) applicable drinking water outlets in all schools.  

It is likely that some existing water sources that previously "passed" may now "fail" due to the lower requirement for the levels. The same can be said for new water sources that haven't previously been tested and/or posted. The District is taking action as required by public health law to comply with these new standards. The District has an obligation to provide drinking water within the revised guidelines and will be taking action to ensure compliance in all areas where it is necessary to do so. In all other areas, signs will be posted indicating that the water source is non-potable.