• An Update on Brighton’s Lead Testing Program (Nov. 28, 2016)

    Dear Members of the Brighton School Community,

    I am writing to provide you with an update on the Brighton Central School District’s Lead Testing Program. The District received the final report of the drinking water sampling and analysis prepared by Leader Professional Services on Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016. This report summarizes the water testing that has been completed to date and the corrective actions taken by the District.

    In accordance with the Lead Testing in School Drinking Water regulation (10 NYCCRR Subpart 67-4) issued by the State on September 6, 2016, the District is making this report available for public review below. Please refer to Tables 1-7 in the report for first draw sample results for each building and Tables 8-14 for the remediation summary and follow-up sample results.

    Prior to the issuance of the emergency regulation by the State of New York, the District tested all fixtures and devices that could potentially be used as a source of drinking water. In areas that were considered primary points of consumption (e.g. fountains, bubblers, elementary/primary classroom sinks, kitchen area sinks, etc.), the fixture or faucet was replaced with a lead-free device and all plumbing with a soldered joint was replaced from the floor level up with lead-free compression fittings and stainless steel flex hoses. Further, new lead-free shut-offs were installed.

    All locations with new lead-free devices and plumbing systems were retested the next day with a first-draw sample. However, several locations detailed in the report showed lead levels actually increased after the corrective action was complete. These units continued to be flushed and have been retested. Leader reported that this is a common occurrence when devices are quickly retested using a first-draw sampling method. The District will immediately publish the follow-up lab reports upon receipt.

    In areas that were considered non-primary points of consumption (e.g. toilet room sinks and faucets, custodial sinks, laboratory sinks in science rooms, art room sinks, or other sinks identified by occupants as hand-wash sinks) the District either removed the device, shut off the water supply, or clearly labeled the device with the approved signage, as non-drinking, not-potable. Over the next several months, the District will continue to troubleshoot these areas and replace sinks and faucets where appropriate. A capital investment may be required to ultimately remediate the source of the problem for some areas where replacing the device and accessible plumbing systems does not eliminate the source of lead.

    While State law does not require the next sampling event to occur until 2020, the District will develop an annual testing protocol on all primary points of consumption (e.g. drinking fountains, bubblers, kitchen area sinks). Any exceedances will be immediately reported to the Monroe County Department of Public Health and all staff and parents/guardians will be notified.

    Although we have no indication that what we are experiencing is cause for concern, we want you to be fully apprised of all aspects of this issue, how it is being addressed, and recommendations from the Department of Public Health and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

    The New York State Department of Health and the Monroe County Department of Public Health do not think the school drinking water is a significant source of lead. However, out of an abundance of caution, if you have any concerns about your child and lead exposure, we encourage you to discuss the matter with your primary care physician or health care provider.

    If you have any questions regarding the report posted, please contact Lou Alaimo, Assistant Superintendent for Administration, at Lou_Alaimo@bcsd.org or 242-5200 ext. 5510.

    Sincerely,

    Kevin McGowan, Ed.D.

    Superintendent of Schools