Newcomb Central School District

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 (Subpart 67-4) require that all public schools and BOCES periodically test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking.  Periodic testing of lead in school drinking water is a regular part of school operations and has been in effect in New York State since 2016.  Compliance sampling for lead in water informs the district of current lead in water levels and allows the district to put in place corrective measures if any water sources exceed the actionable threshold.

Newcomb Central School District previously performed lead in water sampling in the 2016 and 2020 testing cycles.  The current lead in school drinking water testing cycle is in effect from 2023 – 2025.  As such, the district performed its next round of water sampling in the school.  Since the last testing cycle, the Lead in School Drinking Water regulation has been amended and changes went into effect in December 2022. A key revision to the law lowered the action level from 15 parts per billion (ppb) to 5 ppb.  If lead is found at any water outlet at levels above 5 ppb, which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter (µg/L), public health regulations require that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.

On April 12, 2024, Newcomb Central School District personnel collected samples from 16 water outlet sources for lead testing at Newcomb Central School. Water samples were submitted for analysis at ENDYNE Environmental Laboratories, Inc. Those outlets with levels of lead above 5 ppb and their analytical results can be viewed in the table below.

Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level (5 ppb) were either removed from service or posted with signage that the water outlet is not to be used for drinking. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.

Lead in Water Lab Reports – Lab Reports

Lead in Water Test Results – Test Results

Lead in Water Remediation Plan – Action Plan

Why may lead levels be high in schools or at home?

Plumbing materials may add lead to drinking water. The materials include pipes, new brass faucets, and fittings, as well as valves (including those advertised as lead-free). Water not consistently in use runs the risk of having higher lead levels if the plumbing contains lead. This is why the district conducts periodic lead in water testing which then allows us to address elevated levels of lead in drinking water in order to reduce a child’s overall exposure to lead in the environment.  

The New York State Department of Health has advised that there are benefits to running water at a tap briefly prior to using it for drinking or food preparation. Letting the water run for 30 to 60 seconds or until the water feels cold can reduce the potential levels of lead in the drinking water at school and at home.

Why do we keep an eye on lead levels in drinking water?

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 exposures as much as possible. Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.

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 Ray Bush 518-582-3341.

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

http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/LeadTestinginSchoolDrinkingWater.html

For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to:

http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/

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”:

http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2526/ (available in ten languages).