• Lead Testing Description

    Beginning in the summer of 2016 the RCSD began voluntarily collecting and testing water samples for lead across the district. In the fall of 2016 New York State passed a regulation requiring the testing of drinking water in schools for lead.  Part of that regulation requires the posting of the testing results. Contained in each building folder below are the laboratory reports and a summary of results. The full laboratory reports are PDF files and the summary reports are Excel files.

    The results are presented in parts per billion (ppb). The New York State action level is 15 ppb.

    The sample ID naming follows the EPA's recommended guidelines. If you have difficulty determining where a sample was collected from, please contact Facilities Environmental Health & Safety for clarification. Below is an example and a brief description of how to read it.

     

    74-01-BT-IN-A183-TL

    74 - school number

    01 - floor

    BT - room type (In this example, Boys Toilet.)

    IN - inside (You will also see BY-nearby indicating if the sample was taken in the room or near the room.)

    A183 - room number

    T - fixture type (In this example, Tap)

    L - location in the space if there are multiple fixtures (L-left, R-right, LM-left middle, RM-right middle, M-middle. If there is a number, the first fixture when entering the room and turning left is identified as 1.)

     

    In the James P. Duffy School No. 12, the samples were named slightly differently:

    CRM139 B-1

    M - indicates room type

    139 - room number

    B - fixture type

    1 - fixture designation/location in the room if there are multiple fixtures

     

    Most Common Sampling Abbreviations

    B or BSMT – Basement

    BT/GT – Boys/Girls Toilet

    LR – Lunch Room or Locker Room

    NO – Nurses Office

    CR or CRM – Classroom

    TR – (Trans)portable Classroom

    RM – Room

    HA – Hallway

    GY – Gym

    CAFE - Cafeteria

    T – Tap

    B – Bubbler

    F or DF – Fountain (has chilling unit)


    When a sample result exceeded 15 ppb, one of the following was done:

    • The fixture was replaced and retested and put back into service if follow up testing showed acceptable results. 
    • The fixture was deemed unnecessary and removed.
    • The fixture was turned off and a hang tag placed at the valve explaining why the water had been turned off. These fixtures should not be turned on or used.
    • Some sinks were left turned on for sanitary reasons, but were labeled with signage, “Do Not Drink This Water”. This was primarily done at toilet room sinks. The water is safe for handwashing.

    If you have any questions please contact Stacie Darbey with the RCSD Facilities Department.