Lead In Water Testing

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. Testing must be conducted every three years and results must be reported and made available online. 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.

January 1, 2024 Testing Cycle

In accordance with established water testing protocol, the NSCSD began a scheduled round of lead testing in January 2024. Testing may continue through 2025 and the results will be communicated on this website as testing at each building is completed. As results are made available, they will be shared with families and posted via the links below: 

• Cicero-North Syracuse High School
• North Syracuse Junior High School
• Gillette Road Middle School
• Roxboro Road Middle School (tested Jan. 23, 2024)
  • Letter to families and staff
  • Report
  • PDF of report
• Allen Road Elementary School (tested Jan. 17, 2024)
  • Letter to families and staff
  • Report
  • PDF of report
• KWS Bear Road Elementary School (tested Jan. 31, 2024)
  • Letter to families and staff
  • Report
  • PDF of report
• Cicero Elementary School
• Lakeshore Road Elementary School
• Roxboro Road Elementary School (tested Jan. 9, 2024)
  • Letter to families and staff
  • Report
  • PDF of report
• Smith Road Elementary School
• Non-Instructional Buildings
  • District Office
  • Maintenance
  • Transportation
  • Bus Garage

 

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North Syracuse Central School District test results for the period of January 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021*

Due to the concern raised across the Nation in early 2016 in regard to high levels of lead in drinking water, the North Syracuse Central School District undertook an extensive lead testing program on all classroom sinks and drinking fountains throughout the district. At the time, the district was using the EPA’s acceptable level for lead in drinking water of 20 parts per billion. The acceptable standard implemented by New York State on September 6, 2016 is 15 parts per billion (ppb). The action level for lead is not a health-based standard and is based upon EPA’s evaluation of available data on the ability of corrosion control to reduce lead levels at the tap. The action level is a screening tool for determining when certain treatment technique actions are needed (EPA, 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, EPA 815-B-18-007 - October 2018).

* Sample period extended from December 31, 2020 to June 30, 2021, NYS DOH: Lead Testing in School Drinking Water – Extension of School Lead Testing Requirements, October 13, 2020.

* Posted “Not for drinking or consumption purposes”
Locations with fixtures above 15 ppb:
Lakeshore Road Elementary School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Lakeshore Road Elementary
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
1/28/2020	134	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	141	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/282020	153	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	156	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	172	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down/Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	107	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	110	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	111	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	112	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	113	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	113	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	114	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	129	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	142	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	142	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	143	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	144	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	145	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	146	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	146	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down /clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	147	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	152	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	152	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	152	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down/ Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	155	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	157	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	178A	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	170	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	173	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down/ Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
1/28/2020	160	Drinking Fountain	Shut Down/ Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

 
 
 
 
 
Bear Road Elementary School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Bear Road Elementary
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
2/11/2020	124	BR Sink	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	126	BR Sink	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	136	CR Faucet	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	146	CR Faucet	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	153	CR Faucet	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	156	CR Faucet	Removed in new construction
2/11/2020	157A	CR Faucet	Removed in new construction

 
 
 
Roxboro Road Middle School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Roxboro Road Middle
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
11/10/2020	146	CR Sink B	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/10/2020	117	CR Sink C	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

Allen Road Elementary School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Allen Road Elementary
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
2/25/2020	100	Bathroom Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
2/25/2020	109	CR Faucet	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

Cicero-North Syracuse High School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
High School
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
12/1/2020	240 Kitchen	Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	240 Kitchen	Sink D	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	257 Lounge	Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Main Office	Men's BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Nurse's Office	Back Room	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Basement	BR Near Rm 022	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	022 Kitchen	Bath Room Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	022 Kitchen	Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	022 Kitchen	Sink D	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	N. PE	Bath Room Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Girl Locker Rm	Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Girl Locker Rm	Sink B	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Boys Locker Rm	Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Boys Locker Rm	Sink B	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
12/1/2020	Boys Locker Rm	Sink C	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

Gillette Road Middle School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Gillette Road Middle
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
11/3/2020	073	Sink Left	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/3/2020	073	Sink Right	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/3/2020	Concession	BR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/3/2020	Concession	Hand Sink Left	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/3/2020	Concession	Hand Sink Right	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/3/2020	Concession	Hand Sink Kitchen	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

North Syracuse Junior High School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Jr. High School
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
11/17/2020	220	Kitchen Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/17/2020	218	Kitchen Sink A	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/17/2020	Boys Locker Rm	Staff Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/17/2020	167	CR Sink B	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest
11/17/2020	Custodian Boys	Bathroom B	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

Cicero Elementary School Remediation Plan:

Updated: 10/27/2021
Cicero Elementary
Lab ELAP Id#: 102489			Analysis Method: EPA 200.8:  Metals in Waters by ICP/MS
Collection Date	Sample Location	Outlet Description	Action Taken
2/4/2020	136	CR Sink	* Clean/change aerator/faucet and retest

A total of 972 initial samples were taken throughout the district. Twenty Two (22) fixtures (or 2.2% district wide) are not able to be used for drinking or consumption and or have been taken out of service (found to be above 15ppb) as a result of the testing.
Locations with fixtures still above 15ppb:
North Syracuse Junior High

• 220 Kitchen Sink A
• Custodian Boys BRB Sink

Lakeshore Road Elementary

• 134 CR Sink
• 141 BR Sink
• 153 CR Sink
• 160 Drinking Fountain
• 172 Drinking Fountain

High School

• 240 Kitchen Sink D
• 257 Kitchen Sink
• Girls BR Sink A
• Boys Bathroom Sink C

Gillette Road Middle School

• 073 Sink Left
• 073 Sink Right
• Concession BR Sink
• Concession Hand Sink Left
• Concession Had Sink Right
• Concession Hand Sink Kitchen

Allen Road Elementary

• 100 BR Sink
• 109 CR Faucet

 
Cicero Elementary

• 136 CR Sink

 
Roxboro Middle School

• 146 CR Sink B
• 117 CR Sink C

 
Further explanation and clarification regarding Chapter 296 of the Laws of 2016
Key definitions:

• “Action Level” means 15 micrograms per liter (or 0.015mg/l) or 15 parts per billion. A level above the action level requires a response (e.g., remediation).
• “Outlet” means a potable water fixture currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes, but not limited to bubbler, drinking fountain or faucets. Further clarification by the NYS Department of Health added art, science, and restroom sinks.

 
 
Testing Protocol:
Testing water in schools is important because children spend a lot of time in these facilities, and are very likely to consume water while there. Even though water delivered from the community’s public water supply must meet federal and state standards for lead, the building plumbing may contribute to elevated lead levels in the drinking water. Testing the water at each outlet is the only sure way to find out if the water contains too much lead.
You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water; testing is the only sure way to tell if there are elevated levels of lead in your drinking water.

• Choose a certified laboratory to test your samples.
• The initial sample is representative of the water that may be consumed at the beginning of the day or after infrequent use. This is water that has been in contact with the faucet or drinking water fountain and the section of plumbing closest to the outlet.
• Collect cold water samples in the morning before the facility opens for the day. Make sure that no water has been used yet— don’t run faucets or flush toilets before you sample. Collect the water immediately after turning it on without allowing any water to run into the drain. The outlets you are testing should not have been used for 8 to 18 hours prior to collection of the samples. This is called a first draw sample.
• Take follow-up samples from outlets where test results show lead levels greater than 15 ppb (parts per billion).
• Follow-up Samples - This sample is representative of the water that is in the plumbing upstream from the faucet or drinking water fountain. Take this sample before the facility opens and before any water is used. Let the water from the faucet or drinking water fountain run for 30 seconds before collecting the sample. This is called a flush sample.

Results:

• When the laboratory returns our test results, the concentrations of lead in our drinking water samples will be reported in metric form such as milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micrograms per liter (μ g/L), or they will be reported as a concentration such as parts per million (ppm) or parts per billion (ppb), respectively. Milligrams per liter (mg/L) is essentially the same as parts per million (ppm). Micrograms per liter (μ g/L) are essentially the same as parts per billion (ppb).

                Examples:  1mg/L = 1000μ g/L = 1 ppm = 1000 ppb
.015 mg/L = 15μg/L = .015 ppm = 15 ppb
Required Actions if Levels of Lead are Detected at or Above 15 parts per billion:

• Prohibit use of the outlet until a remediation plan is implemented and test results indicate that lead levels are at or below the action level.
• Provide facility occupants with an adequate supply of potable water for drinking and cooking until remediation is performed.
• Report the results to the local Department of Health.
• Notify all staff and all persons in a parental relation to students of the test results in writing as soon as practicable, but no more than ten days after receiving the laboratory report.

Responding to High Lead Levels:

• Provide an alternative and lead-free source of drinking water.
• Remove sources of lead in the plumbing system.
  • Replace solder joints with lead-free joints. Replace the outlet or fixture/ faucet with lead-free materials. Replace piping with lead-free materials.

Public Notification:

• The school will make available the results of all lead testing performed and remediation plans implemented on it’s website as soon as practicable, but no later than 6 weeks after the school receives the laboratory results.
• For schools that received lead testing results and implemented lead remediation plans prior to the effective date of these regulations, the schools shall make available on the school’s website as soon as practicable, but no more than 6 weeks after the effective date of this legislation.

Future Testing:

• Schools will be required to collect samples for lead again in 2025, or earlier as determined by the Commissioner. Schools will continue to collect first-draw samples at least every five years thereafter, or at an earlier time as determined by the Commissioner.

• Ongoing Testing:
  As part of the NYS law enacted on September 6, 2016, all fixtures previously tested after January 1, 2015 shall satisfy the initial first draw sampling requirement.
   

Electronic or hard copies of individual or district wide laboratory results can be obtained by contacting in writing:

Superintendent of Schools
North Syracuse Central School District
5355 West Taft Road
North Syracuse NY 13212