Water test results

The following message is from Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams:

Dear William S. Hackett Middle School Families:

In accordance with state law, every five years all public school districts are required to test all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes for lead levels. To that end, I am writing to inform you about the results of this required lead testing at William S. Hackett Middle School. 

The City School District of Albany is in the process of testing water outlets at all 20 buildings – about 1,500 total samples – with the assistance of a state-approved laboratory. A water outlet is any water source that someone could possibly draw water to drink. This includes drinking fountains, bathroom sinks, locker room showers, janitorial sinks and kitchen sinks.

At Hackett, five of 79 outlets tested had results above the state’s limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb).  Here are the outlets at Hackett that had results above that limit:

• Boys’ locker room A, Shower 1 (27.1 ppb)
• Boys’ locker room B, Shower 2 (22.7 ppb)
• Girls’ locker room A, Shower 1 (323 ppb)
• Girls’ locker room B, Shower 2 (179 ppb)
• Girls’ locker room C, Shower 3 (114 ppb)

The other 74 water outlets tested at Hackett had no positive results, including all drinking fountains, and have been cleared.

In accordance with state law, the district has taken immediate action in those locations where the lead level from a water outlet exceeded the state’s level of 15 ppb. At Hackett, the district has put the following action plan in place, which conforms to state regulations:

• Notify the Albany County Department of Health
• Submit all test results to the New York State Department of Health
• All outlets that tested above the allowable level have been marked with signage indicating that the water is not drinkable
• All outlets with positive tests have been flushed and retested.  We are awaiting results of those follow-up tests.  The district will clear a water outlet for use again only after receiving a report from a state-approved laboratory that the outlet in question is now below the legal limit.
• When all water outlets are cleared, the district will notify all faculty, staff and families.

The health and safety of all students, faculty and staff in the City School District of Albany is a top priority for us.  If you would like more information about the testing at your building, please contact Capital Region BOCES Health and Safety Specialist Sherrie Strain at sherrie.strain@neric.org.