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Lead Exceeds New School Water Limit in 34% of New York Buildings, With Long Island at 44%

The tighter five parts per billion limit triggered immediate fixture shutdowns in affected schools.

Overview

  • A state report found 1,642 school buildings statewide exceeded the new limit, including 308 buildings on Long Island.
  • State data show more than 40 districts in Suffolk County and over 20 in Nassau County had outlets above the threshold.
  • Schools are required to take affected fixtures out of service, notify staff and parents, and provide free alternative drinking water.
  • Districts are replacing aging fountains with filtered bottle-filling stations, with Farmingdale turning off all drinking water stations as it swaps out old fixtures.
  • After an upload error initially showed all Connetquot schools testing positive, the health department confirmed only two schools did and said results are updated, with remediation followed by retesting before outlets return to service.