In accordance with New York State law, the Stillwater Central School District regularly conducts testing of all water outlets used for drinking or cooking to help ensure the health and safety of the school community. Samples are sent to a state-approved lab for analysis. The district completed testing for the 2023-25 compliance period on March 25, 2025. Testing is required every three years thereafter, unless the state Commissioner of Health mandates testing sooner.
The state established a lead action level of 0.005 milligrams per liter. If a sample from a water outlet exceeds this level, schools must implement measures to prevent the use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes until it has been remediated and follow-up testing confirms lead levels are below the threshold.
School districts are required to report the results of all water testing to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the New York State Department of Education (NYSED) and to post the results—along with remediation plans, if required—on the district website. Stillwater’s results are posted below.
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. However, even if the first draw sample does not reflect what you would see with continuous usage, it is still important because it can identify outlets that have elevated lead levels.
What are the results of the first draw testing?
In February 2024, 16 water outlets used for drinking and cooking were tested in the district; all measured below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level. Test results for 2024 can be viewed by building below.
In March 2025, a total of 91 water outlets used for drinking and cooking were tested in the district. Results indicated that all measured below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level. Test results for 2025 can be viewed by building below.
What is being done in response to the results?
All water outlets that were not tested were labeled with signage reading “Do Not Drink” until further testing could be conducted to confirm lead levels.
2024 Water Test Results
Stillwater Elementary
On Feb. 28, 2024, eight water outlets were tested at Stillwater Elementary. All samples measured below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level.
Stillwater Middle-High School
On Feb. 28, 2024, eight water outlets were tested at Stillwater Middle-High School. All samples measured below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level.
2025 Water Test Results
Stillwater Elementary
On March 18, 2025, 49 water outlets were tested at Stillwater Elementary. All samples tested below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level. View the 2025 water testing results here.
Stillwater Middle-High School
On March 18, 2025, 42 water outlets were tested at Stillwater Middle-High School. All samples measured below the 0.005 milligrams-per-liter lead action level. View the 2025 water testing results here.
What are the health effects of lead?
Lead is a metal that can harm children and adults when it gets into their bodies. Lead is a known neurotoxin, particularly harmful to the developing brain and nervous system of children under 6 years old. Lead can harm a young child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Lead exposure during pregnancy may contribute to low birth weight and developmental delays in infants. There are many sources of lead exposure in the environment, and it is important to reduce all lead exposure as much as possible. Water testing helps identify and correct possible sources of lead that contribute to exposure from drinking water.
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.
Should your child be tested for lead?
The risk to an individual child from past exposure to elevated lead in drinking water depends on many factors, including but not limited to, a child’s age, weight, amount of water consumed, and the amount of lead in the water. Children may also be exposed to other significant sources of lead including paint, soil, and dust. Since blood lead testing is the only way to determine a child’s blood lead level, parents should discuss their child’s health history with their child’s physician to determine if blood lead testing is appropriate. Pregnant women or women of childbearing age should also consider discussing this matter with their physician.