Good afternoon:
On September 6, 2016, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo signed legislation requiring all school districts and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) in New York State to test potable water systems for lead contamination and to take responsive actions. To implement this new law, the Department of Health issued emergency regulations, titled Lead Testing in School Drinking Water -10 NYCRR Subpart 67-4 (Subpart 67- 4), effective September 6, 2016. Revisions to the public health law went into effect on December 22, 2022. Key revisions to the law changed the action level of lead in drinking water to 5 parts per billion (ppb ), reduced from 15 ppb. The testing schedule is now three years changed from five years.
Schools are responsible for identifying the total number of outlets that require sampling. Samples must be first draw samples, collected in 250 ml containers, and taken from a cold water outlet where the water has been motionless in the pipes for a minimum of 8 hours but not more than 18 hours. Samples must be analyzed by a laboratory that is certified under the Department of Health's Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP).
If lead levels are detected above 5 parts per billion at any potable water outlet, the school must discontinue use of that outlet until a lead remediation plan is implemented to mitigate the lead level, and test results indicate that the lead levels are at or below the action level. The school must ensure that building occupants have an adequate alternate supply of potable water for drinking and cooking until the remediation plan is implemented. Schools must report the exceedance to the local health department (LHD) within one business day. Test results must also be provided in writing to all staff and parents no more than 10 business days after receiving the report.
Pursuant to the regulations, the Livingston Manor Central School District sampled 51 potable water outlets that are used for drinking and cooking purposes on January 29, 2025. On February 18, 2025, we received the results form Pace Analytical Labs. Seven of the tested outlets exceeded the 5 ppb guideline. These outlets have been taken out of service and 'Do Not Drink' signs are now placed near the outlets. The outlets that exceeded 5 ppb of lead are the classroom sinks in rooms 300, 308, and 311, as well as 4 outlets in the kitchen. Remediation actions will be taken to reduce the lead and the outlets will be tested prior to being reopened for use. A complete list of the testing results can be found on the school website at https://5il.co/38eau and https://5il.co/38eav.
For questions on how lead affects the body or the remediation process, please contact the Sullivan County Health Department.
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this process.
Respectfully submitted,
John P. Evans, Superintendent