SCHENECTADY - The Schenectady City School District recently released results of lead levels from water samples collected last month.
The district's website lists 43 water outlets across the district that brought back samples with lead levels above five parts per billion (ppb).
The biggest offender? Schenectady High School, with 26 water outlets above that level. A nurses' office sink at the high school came back with a level of 629 parts per billion.
The district site points out that lead can harm both children and adults when it's in their bodies, and is a known neurotoxin that’s particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of kids under six years of age.
One district parent we spoke to named Marion Sampler is concerned:
That's a scary thing because I have a child who goes to a Schenectady school so it worries me as a parent. Pretty sure other parents should be worried too - that would be a good thing now, to get my lead tested to make sure that we're not going to get sick.
The district says outlets with lead levels above that “action level” of five parts per billion were either removed from service or posted with signage that the water outlet is not to be used for drinking.
The district site also points out that outlets that tested below the action level remain in service with no restrictions.
Here is the full statement from the school district that was sent to CBS 6:
“We follow the NYS DOH regulations and test all sources in each of our schools that could be used or potentially used for drinking or cooking. If lead is determined and above 5 parts per billion (ppb), we follow the NYS DOH requirement. It’s also worth noting that the state recently lowered the threshold from 15 parts per billion to the current 5 ppb. Outlets that tested with lead levels above the action level of 5pb are shut off and/or removed or signage is posted that the water outlet is non potable water. All fixtures will be evaluated for remediation. The source will not be available for use until remediation measures have been implemented and all readings are at acceptable levels. As we close off water sources, we replace them with filtered systems where possible.”
Crisis in the Classroom is a weekly segment in which CBS 6 investigates issues faced by educators, students, and families. Send any tips to our team by emailing or by calling (518) 288-6034.