A NOTICE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, and STAFF
Greenville CSD
Lead Testing of School Drinking Water
July 2, 2025
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 require that all public schools and boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES) test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. 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 NYS DOH requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.
What is “first draw” testing of school drinking water for lead?
The “on-again, off-again” nature of water use at most schools can raise lead levels in school drinking water. Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead. This is why schools are required to collect a sample after the water has been sitting in the plumbing system for a certain period of time. This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously. However, even if the first draw sample does not reflect what you would see with continuous usage, it is still important because it can identify outlets that have elevated lead levels.
What are the results of the first draw testing?
Scott M. Ellis Elementary School
A total of 34 outlets were sampled. Of these, three outlets tested above the 5 parts per billion (ppb) threshold. Two of these outlets were handwashing sinks, one in classroom 128 and the other in classroom 98, and the third was a drinking fountain on the first floor outside of classroom 131.
Greenville Middle School
A total of 18 outlets were sampled. No outlets at the middle school tested above the 5 ppb threshold.
Greenville High School
A total of 30 outlets were sampled. Of these, two outlets tested above the 5 ppb threshold. Both of these outlets were handwashing sinks, one in the Band Storage Room and the other in classroom 103.
The lead action level was changed by New York State from 15 ppb to 5 ppb in December 2022. The three outlets that tested above the 5 ppb threshold at Scott M. Ellis Elementary School would have been acceptable under the previous 15 ppb threshold. The two outlets at the High School would have been above the previous 15 ppb threshold.
What is being done in response to the results?
Per requirements from New York State, results were reported by the district to the local county health department’s water division, as well as to New York State Department of Health. Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level (5 ppb) were immediately removed from service. For the drinking fountain, bottled water was made available near impacted classrooms. For classrooms sinks needed for handwashing, a sign was posted at the outlet indicating that the sink is not to be used for drinking water. These outlets will continue to have handwashing only signs posted until further remediation and testing is completed. Remediation may include, but is not limited to, replacing filters, flushing outlets that are not frequently used, as well as changing out older style faucet fixtures and hardware. Outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.
What are the health effects of lead?
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 exposure as much as possible. Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.
What are the other sources of lead exposure?
Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in widespread distribution in the environment. Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing, and lead that has built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing. Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics. Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead. The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood-lead levels is lead-based paint.
Should your child be tested for lead?
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 and guardians 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 Rich Outtrim at outtrimr@greenvillecsd.org. To view a folder with the full results, click here.
For information about lead in school drinking water, visit the Department of Health website or the State Education Department website.
For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, visit this website.
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”. The resource is available in ten languages here.