In 2016, New York became the first state in the nation to require all public schools and BOCES to test water for lead. The 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. The samples must be analyzed at a state-approved laboratory. Regulations call for testing to take place every five years unless the state Commissioner of Health requires testing sooner.
The state established an action level of 15 micrograms of lead per liter, typically referred to as “parts per billion (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 and BOCES are required to report the results of all water testing to the state Department of Health, the state Education Department and the Rockland County Department of Health, and to post the results – along with remediation plans, if required – on the official agency website.
The East Ramapo Central School District is conducting water testing according to the state law. Results of testing are being posted on this page as they become available.
