State law requires school districts to sample all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes in buildings that may be occupied by students and to submit those samples to a state-approved lab for analysis. Testing took place on May 30, 2024 and must be completed every three years thereafter, unless the state Commissioner of Health requires testing sooner.
The state established an action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb), which was reduced from 15 ppb. If a sample from a water outlet exceeds this level, schools must take steps to prevent the use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes until it is remediated and follow-up testing confirms it is no longer above the action level.
School districts are required to report the results of all water testing to the state Department of Health, the state Education Department and the local health department, and to post the results on the district website.
The Poland Central School District on August 15th, 2024 had 3 outlets retested that initially came back over the action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb). In-line lead filters had been installed on the retested outlets. Out of the 3 outlets retested, 2 came back above the state guidelines of 5 parts per billion (ppb). The 2 outlets that failed have been cleaned; the district is now in the process of testing these outlets again.
The Poland Central School District on September 19th, 2024 had 3 outlets retested that came back over the action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb). In-line lead filters had been installed and fixtures were cleaned on the retested outlets. Out of the 2 outlets retested, 1 came back above the state guidelines. The outlet that failed the in-line lead filter was moved closer to the outlet; the district is now in the process of testing that outlet again.
The Poland Central School District on December 13th, 2024 had 1 outlet retested that came back over the action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb). An in-line lead filter had been installed, the fixture had been cleaned and the in-line lead filter had been moved closer to the outlet on the retested outlet. The retested outlet came back above the state guidelines. The outlet had old supply lines flushed and cleaned; the district is now in the process of testing that outlet again.
The Poland Central School District on January 17th, 2025 had 1 outlet retested that came back over the action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) and 3 outlets added for initial testing. An in-line lead filter had been installed, the fixture had been cleaned, the in-line lead filter had been moved closer to the outlet and old supply lines were flushed and cleaned on the retested outlet. The retested outlet came back above the state guidelines while the newly added 3 outlets passed. The outlet that came back above state guidelines had old supply lines replaced and the fixture has been flushed and cleaned again; the district is now in the process of testing that outlet again."
To view previous reports, contact the superintendent’s office.
May 2024 results
New York adopted water testing regulations to help ensure that children are protected from lead exposure while in school. Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead, so much so that the experts from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization agree that there is no safe level of lead for children.
Please contact the superintendent’s office if you have any questions about these results.
