By Katy Savage
Multiple schools are replacing drinking water fountains and sinks after elevated lead was found in the water.
So far, 79% of the schools tested for lead in the state have had at least one tap test positive.
Tests are required on every tap at all schools and childcare centers under Act 66, which passed in 2019. Those with test results at or above 4 parts per billion are required to remove or replace the fixture until the level drops below 4 ppb.
Three schools in Windsor Central Supervisory Union had positive lead results following tests in the fall.
A classroom sink at Woodstock Union High School-Middle School had the highest lead level, spiking to 50 times above the acceptable level, at 201 ppb. And 10 other sinks, including two kitchen sinks, needed to be replaced due to elevated lead levels.
At Woodstock Elementary School, 11 sinks had elevated lead levels in addition to a drinking water fountain in the back of the building. All of the sinks and drinking water fountains in Killington Elementary School classrooms tested positive for lead.
There were no signs of lead at Barnard Academy or Reading Elementary.
“We knew that we would have some positive results for lead due to the age of our buildings,” said Windsor Central Superintendent Mary Beth Bainios.
Woodstock Union High School dates back to 1957. Banios said all of the sinks and drinking water fountains have been replaced in the schools. The school district has spent about $6,000 in replacement costs so far in addition to $2,500 in labor costs, she said. No plumbing has been replaced yet.
“We will test the fixtures again and if they are still above the action level more remediation will take place i.e.: plumbing/filters, etc.,” Banios said.
Agency of Natural Resources Compliance and Support Services Section Chief Ben Montross said lead could be coming from valves, shavings and cuttings in the screens of the faucet or acidic water. He said requirements for acceptable lead levels in plumbing has changed over the years.
“The prevalence of lead out there in the schools is what we expected to see,” he said. “It’s nothing shocking.”
The state collects two 250 milliliter water samples from each tap in school buildings to complete the lead test—one to get water near the faucet and a second to test water further down the pipe.
A “do not drink order” was recently issued for sinks in the girls and boys bathrooms of Stockbridge Central School and a water fountain in the pre-K classroom of Rochester Elementary was removed from service after testing at 4 ppb for lead.
“I don’t think it’s been as bad as I thought it might be,” White River Valley Superintendent Bruce Labs said. “We have a lot of aging buildings, but we still have work to do.”
Tests were also conducted at Rochester School. One drinking water fountain in the science hallway of Rochester High School spiked to 180 ppb for lead. A do not drink sign was issued Jan 27.
Although the high school is closed, Labs said the building is still used for play performances and meetings.
Rochester Elementary School Principal Bonnie Bourne said she was waiting to hear from a plumber about the costs to replace the fixtures.
The state allocated about $2.8 million in funding for schools to complete testing and replace fixtures as part of Act 66.
“Hopefully (the state) will cover most of the costs,” Bourne said.
About 31% of the schools in the state have been tested so far. All of the results are expected to be complete by the end of the school year.
