Elevated lead levels found in drinking water at Farmingdale schools
Water testing revealed elevated lead levels at several school buildings, prompting shutoffs, repairs, and plans to replace older fountains
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The Farmingdale School District is notifying parents after recent testing found elevated levels of lead in drinking water at several school buildings.
According to New York state guidelines, action is required when lead levels in drinking water exceed five parts per billion. Test results from multiple Farmingdale schools showed some fixtures well above that limit.
At Farmingdale High School, one drinking fountain tested at more than 27 parts per billion. Even higher levels were found at Northside Elementary School, where a classroom faucet tested at more than 100 parts per billion.
Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said the problem often occurs when water sits unused for extended periods of time.
“What happens is when the water sits overnight, the lead can start to leach out into the water,” Esposito said. “Lead contamination can lead to brain disfunction, lower IQ, learning disorders, central-nervous system damage and more,” she said.
In a letter sent to parents on Friday, the district said repairs are already underway. In the meantime, drinking fountains that tested high for lead have been shut off, and affected sinks have been clearly labeled as “hand washing only.”
“I thought the school was handling it well,” said Cynthia Sofia, whose children are in the Farmingdale School District. “They said they would mark the affected water distribution centers so the kids would be aware and that there were alternate places to get water from.”
The district also announced plans to remove older drinking fountains and replace them with filtered water bottle filling stations.
“I know they have filtered water stations and that’s where most kids fill their water bottles,” Sofia added. “But it’s still surprising to hear the unfiltered stations have a problem.”
For the list of lead results, click here.
