Lead Testing
Routine Lead Testing Results: 2026-2028 School Drinking Water Sampling Cycle
The results of our recent routine water lead testing at Atrea Early Learning Center confirm that all drinking and cooking water sources in the building are safe for use. All testing, repairs, and follow-up sampling were completed prior to the start of the school year.
Safe and healthy school environments 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 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.
September 2026 Update
Shenendehowa Central School District will be conducting standard lead testing surveillance of water outlets used or potentially used for cooking or drinking during the 2026-2027 school year pursuant to NYS Department of Health Regulations. The purpose of the regulation is to periodically test water outlets to identify if any outlets test above the action level (5 ppb) under first-draw sampling conditions. First-draw sampling requires that water sit in the plumbing system between 8 - 18 hours and is performed to show lead levels in water that represent the “on-again, off-again” nature of water use in schools. 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 water usage at a fixture outlet, it is still important because it can help identify outlets that have elevated lead levels. 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.
Where can I find information about lead in water testing done at Shenendehowa?
The district maintains records of water sampling conducted including lab reports, summary of lab test results, and remedial actions plans, which can be found at the link below.
What are the results of the first-draw testing?
Atrea Early Learning Center
Out of 154 samples collected across the facility and submitted to Adirondack Environmental Services for testing, 153 met or exceeded New York State’s strict safety standards on the initial test. A single outlet (kitchen) showed a level slightly above the state's 5 parts per billion (ppb) action limit. That fixture was taken out of service immediately, repaired on September 2, 2026, and re-tested. Follow-up lab results confirmed the fixture is now well below the 5 ppb threshold. It has been cleared for normal use.
A summary of water outlet locations and immediate actions taken at Atrea Early Learning Center where lab reports indicated lead level above 5 ppb is below.
OTHER LEAD IN WATER RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES
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 six 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 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 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 the Director of Environmental Health & Safety at (518) 881-0300, or go to our school website: https://www.shenschools.org/departments/safety-health-and-wellness/lead-testing
For information about lead in school drinking water, go to:
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/lead_testing_of_school_drinking_water.htm
http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/LeadTestinginSchoolDrinkingWater.html
For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/
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”:
http://www.health.ny.gov/publications/2526/ (English)
https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/education_materials/index.htm (available in ten languages).
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2023-2025
2023 - 2025 Remediation Steps By School (updated file added December 2025)
2020
Additional Resource Regarding Lead Testing at Schools: