Lead Testing Notice
On May 15, this notice was sent home with all students about recent drinking water lead testing in the Fort Plain schools. The notice explains the testing process, what was found, and the steps being taken to keep our students and staff safe.
Proper signage has been posted indicating sinks are not for drinking water and are to be used for handwashing only.
Mitigation procedures are underway, and the “kitchen kettle” in the JSHS, which is used infrequently, has been made inoperable pending plumbing replacements. Retesting will be scheduled aftward.
Please contact Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Geelan at at 518-993-4000 with any questions or concerns.
NOTICE TO PARENTS, GUARDIANS and STAFF
Fort Plain Central School District
Lead Testing of School Drinking Water
May 15, 2026
Safe and healthy school environments can foster healthy and successful children. To protect public health, the Public Health Law and New York State Health Department (NYS DOH) regulations require that all public schools test lead levels in water from every outlet that is being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. If lead is found in any water outlet at levels above 5 parts per billion (ppb), which is equal to 5 micrograms per liter (μg/L), the NYS DOH requires that the school take action to reduce the exposure to lead.
What is “first draw” testing of school drinking water for lead?
The “on-again, off-again” nature of water use at most schools can raise lead levels in school drinking water. Water that remains in pipes overnight, over a weekend, or over vacation periods stays in contact with lead pipes or lead solder and, as a result, could contain higher levels of lead. This is why schools are required to collect a sample after the water has been sitting in the plumbing system for a certain period of time. This “first draw” sample is likely to show higher levels of lead for that outlet than what you would see if you sampled after using the water continuously.
What are the results of the first draw testing?
On May 12, 2026 we received results from Fulmont Laboratories, who tested 22 faucets at Harry Hoag School and 24 faucets at the Junior-Senior High School on April 26, 2026. Two faucets in each school had results exceeding 5 ppb. The Harry Hoag sinks and one of the sinks at the JSHS are being taken out of service, unless an outlet is a sink faucet needed for handwashing. In that case, a sign was posted at the outlet. One faucet at the JSHS will be taken out of service for replacement and then it will be retested.
What are the other sources of lead exposure?
Lead is a metal that has been used for centuries for many purposes, resulting in widespread distribution in the environment. Major sources of lead exposure include lead-based paint in older housing, and lead that built up over decades in soil and dust due to historical use of lead in gasoline, paint, and manufacturing. Lead can also be found in a number of consumer products, including certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, foods, plumbing materials, and cosmetics. Lead seldom occurs naturally in water supplies but drinking water could become a possible source of lead exposure if the building’s plumbing contains lead. The primary source of lead exposure for most children with elevated blood-lead levels is lead-based paint.
Additional Resources
For more information regarding the testing program or sampling results, contact Dr. Geelan at 518-993-4000, or go to our school website: https://www.fortplain.org/district-services/health-services/
For information about lead in school drinking water, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/lead/lead_testing_of_school_drinking_water.htm http://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/LeadTestinginSchoolDrinkingWater.html
For information about NYS DOH Lead Poisoning Prevention Program, go to: https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/lead/