Sanfordville Elementary Community Message

NEWS

Sanfordville Elementary Community Message

January 16, 2025

A NOTICE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS, and STAFF

Sanfordville Elementary School Lead Testing of School Drinking Water

Introduction
The Warwick Valley Central School District conducts regular drinking water testing in our schools every three years to ensure it is safe and free from lead contamination. 

All outlets used for drinking or cooking purposes (e.g., water fountains, kitchen sinks) were found to be at safe levels, below 5 parts per billion (ppb).

As an added precaution, the District also tested outlets not typically used for drinking or cooking (e.g., classroom and lavatory sinks). The results identified five classroom sinks, not intended for drinking or cooking, that exceeded 5 micrograms per liter, triggering the need for corrective actions to minimize potential exposure. Additional information is provided below. In response, the District has proactively replaced faucets with stainless steel, installed filtered drinking fountains and classroom water filters, and posted “do not drink” signs on affected outlets.

This notice was sent to all parents, guardians, and staff members on Thursday, January 16, 2025.

History of Lead Testing
On September 6, 2016, Governor Cuomo signed into law a bill requiring the NY State Department of Health (NYS DOH) to develop regulations mandating all public school districts and BOCES to test potable water outlets for lead contamination and take action if lead levels exceed 15 micrograms per liter.

On December 22, 2022, the allowable lead levels for NYS public schools were lowered from 15 micrograms per liter to the current level of 5 micrograms per liter. The EPA federal level remains at 15 micrograms per liter.

What are the results of the first draw testing?
The District tested 39 locations for lead, and five classroom sinks exceeded the state limit of 5 micrograms per liter:

  1. Room 106 (7.9 µg/L)
  2. Room 107 (7.9 µg/L)
  3. Room 108 (8.3 µg/L)
  4. Room 403 (8.2 µg/L)
  5. Room 408 (10.0 µg/L)

These outlets are not typically used for drinking or cooking purposes.

What is being done in response to the results?
The District has been proactive in ensuring water safety. Key actions include:

  • Faucet Replacement: Approximately 60 faucets in the building are being replaced with stainless steel models. Currently, 30 faucets have been upgraded, and the remaining replacements are planned for completion by the end of the school year.
  • Filtered Drinking Fountains: All hallway drinking fountains have been replaced with filtered faucets featuring bottle fillers. The District currently has 10 filtered drinking fountains at Sanfordville, all of which passed testing.
  • Classroom Water Filters: Water filters have been installed in all classrooms to eliminate harmful contaminants.
  • “Do Not Drink” Signs: Signs have been posted on sinks where lead levels were high, indicating they are not safe for drinking. Although it is unlikely that children would drink from classroom sinks, these signs will remain in place.

Conclusion

The Warwick Valley Central School District is committed to maintaining the safety and well-being of our students and staff. All outlets used for drinking or cooking purposes at Sanfordville Elementary School (e.g., water fountains, kitchen sinks) were found to be at safe levels, below 5 parts per billion (ppb). However, the results identified five classroom sinks, not intended for drinking or cooking, that exceeded 5 micrograms per liter, prompting corrective actions to minimize potential exposure.

Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact Timothy Holmes at tholmes@wvcsd.org or 987-3000 (ext. 10527). Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we work together to ensure the safety of our schools.

Additional Resources
For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact Timothy Holmes at (845) 987-3000 X10521, or go to our school website: https://warwickvalleyschools.com/departments/buildings-and-grounds/wvcsd-water-test-results/

For information about lead in school drinking water, go to:

For information about NYSDOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to:  

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”:

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