South Colonie releases 2023-24 Lead Testing of School Drinking Water Report

Posted Date: 12/15/2023

Pursuant to a law mandating that New York State public schools conduct lead testing on all sources of water used for drinking or cooking purposes, the South Colonie Central School District has worked with an independent testing vendor to ensure proper compliance with the regulation.  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 New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.

South Colonie tested approximately 130 potable water sources for lead at all academic buildings. These sources included drinking fountains, sink faucets in kitchen/cafeteria areas, and sink faucets in classrooms where cooking/food washing takes place. 

Any water source which was above the allowable 5 parts per billion (ppb) was immediately shut off to allow for remediation or removed from service unless the outlet was a sink faucet needed for handwashing. In that case, a sign was posted at the 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.

A copy of the 2023-24 lead testing full report can be found here.