May 6, 2021
Dear Parents and Staff:
The Health and Safety of students and staff at Schoharie Central School District is our number one priority. On September 6, 2016 Governor Cuomo signed legislation which requires all public schools in New York State to test all potable water sources for lead. The regulation requires public schools to conduct lead sampling every five years. For the 2020 round of sampling, Schoharie Central School District collected the water samples in accordance with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 3-T’s protocol.
On the mornings of April 5 and 6 of 2021, a total of 219 sources of water were collected and analyzed at the Pace Analytical Services, LLC laboratory, which is certified by the New York State Department of Health. The district obtained results on April 17, 2021. All sources tested were below the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New York State Department of Health Action Level for schools. The maximum contamination level (MCL) set by the EPA and NYSDOH is 15 parts per billion (ppb).
Upon receiving the analytical results, the district did not need any further action as all the results were well below the 15 parts per billion contamination level. Additionally, the district contacted the New York State Department of Health and reported all the results obtained from the sampling.
While we know that this information will bring peace of mind to all our staff, students and parents, we will continue to upkeep and monitor our drinking water outlets to federal, state and local guidelines. There is nothing that we take more seriously than the well-being of our students and staff.
We will keep you informed about this issue. Please contact Director of Facilities Shawn Gathen at (518) 295-6689 if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
David M. Blanchard
Superintendent of Schools
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT LEAD AND DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS
United States Environmental Protection Agency Testing Schools and Child Care Centers for Lead in the Drinking Water,
https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/testing-schools-and-child-care-centers-lead-drinking-water
New York State Education Department information on lead and drinking water,
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/HealthSafety/GetLeadOut_042105.html
New York Department of Health Website, (https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2508/)
The Environmental Protection Agency’s “3 T’s for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools” (www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/toolkit_leadschools_guide_3ts_leadschools.pdf)
More information about laboratory results
If the results are at, or higher than the EPA action level are for a “first draw” sample, it probably represent the water which was sitting in the pipes overnight and the best action is probably to run the water until it is cold before use. If you have results from a “flush” sample, they are likely to represent what you would be drinking; the proper response to an elevated level in that case would be to identify and remove the lead source or treat the water.
How lead enters our water
Lead is unusual among drinking water contaminants in that it seldom occurs naturally in water supplies like groundwater, rivers and lakes. Lead enters drinking water primarily as a result of the corrosion, or wearing away, of materials containing lead in the water distribution system and in building plumbing. These materials include lead-based solder used to join copper pipe, brass, and chrome-plated brass faucets. In 1986, Congress banned the use of lead solder containing greater than 0.2% lead, and restricted the lead content of faucets, pipes and other plumbing materials. However, even the lead in plumbing materials meeting these new requirements is subject to corrosion.
Lead in drinking water and your child
According to the EPA, lead in drinking water is rarely the sole cause of lead poisoning. The sample that was above this level was the first water to come out of the tap at the start of the day, after sitting overnight. Nearly all of the water that is used from this faucet comes out during the day after it has been running, which would minimize any exposure. However, parents who are concerned may wish to discuss this with their family physician.