The following message is from Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams:
Dear Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology 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 Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology (TOAST).
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 TOAST, six of 102 outlets tested had results above the state’s limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb). Here are the outlets at TOAST that had results above that limit:
- Room 105, Drinking Fountain (35.5 ppb)
- Bathroom (Room 120), Sink (30.4 ppb)
- Nurse’s Exam Room, Sink (81.4 ppb)
- Room 131, Drinking Fountain (35.4 ppb)
- Room 203, Drinking Fountain (24.5 ppb)
- Room 215, Drinking Fountain (41.6 ppb)
The other 96 water outlets tested at TOAST had no positive results 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 all times, the district will ensure that all students and staff have an adequate supply of water for drinking and cooking.
At TOAST, 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
- The drinking fountains that tested above the state’s allowable level have been taken off line. All other 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.
