Updated: Feb. 22, 2021
In 2016 New York State became the first in the nation to require schools to test all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes for lead levels. A second round of testing was required for 2020.
In accordance with the law, the Guilderland Central School District chose Adirondack Environmental Services, Inc. to collect samples throughout all district buildings. The samples were sent and analyzed by a state-approved laboratory and the district started receiving results on Feb. 5, 2020.
Outlets that had readings above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb) were re-tested and the district started receiving the results on Dec. 4, 2020. Additional outlets were tested because they were either not working or could not be located in the first round of testing.
Testing results by school building
According to New York state, if the lead level from a tested water outlet exceeds the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb), the district is required to take immediate action.
The school district must notify staff and all parents and guardians of the results of these tests and any additional actions regarding water testing or remediation that may be necessary. At all times, the district will ensure that all students and staff have an adequate supply of water for drinking and cooking.
For specific water testing questions, contact Superintendent Marie Wiles.
See water test results by school
- Altamont Elementary School
- Guilderland Elementary School
- Lynnwood Elementary School
- Pine Bush Elementary School
- Westmere Elementary School
- Farnsworth Middle School
- Guilderland High School
Additional resources
- Information about lead testing of school drinking water from the New York State Department of Health
- Basic information about lead in drinking water from the United States Environmental Protection Agency
- GCSD 2016 water test results
Altamont Elementary School
On Feb. 5, 2020, the district received water testing results for Altamont Elementary School, which includes 64 samples throughout the building with two reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Drinking fountain in room 400 had an action level of 28.2 ppb
- Drinking fountain in room 402 had an action level of 26.9 ppb
Remediation: Both fountains were removed.
View the full Feb. 5, 2020 water testing results from Altamont Elementary School [PDF].
Guilderland Elementary School
On Feb. 5, 2020, the district received water testing results for Guilderland Elementary School, which includes 96 samples throughout the building with one reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink in the girl’s locker (room 147) had an action level of 26 ppb
Remediation: The sink was removed.
View the full Feb. 5, 2020 water testing results from Guilderland Elementary School [PDF].
Lynnwood Elementary School
Round One of Testing at LES
On February 5, 2020, the district received water testing results for Lynnwood Elementary School, which includes 66 samples throughout the building with two reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink in classroom 408 had an action level of 52 ppb
- Sink in classroom 501 had an action level of 22.9 ppb
Remediation: Both sinks have signage indicating “for handwashing only” and replacement parts have been ordered. Re-sampling was done on Jan. 22, 2021 and the results came back below the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
View the full Feb. 5, 2020 water testing results from Lynnwood Elementary School [PDF].
Round Two of Testing at LES
On Feb. 4, 2021, the district received water testing results from four outlets during a second round of testing at Lynnwood Elementary School. There were no readings above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
View the full Feb. 4, 2021 water testing results from Lynnwood Elementary School [PDF].
Pine Bush Elementary School
Round One of Testing at PBES
On Feb. 20, 2020, the district received the water testing results for Pine Bush Elementary School, which includes 98 water outlet samples throughout the building, with two reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink in copy room 604 had an action level of 52.4 ppb
- Handwashing sink in the kitchen had an action level of 16.2 ppb
Remediation: Both sinks have signage indicating “for handwashing only” and replacement parts have been ordered. Re-sampling will take place.
View the full Feb. 20, 2020 water testing results from Pine Bush Elementary School [PDF].
Round Two of Testing at PBES
On Dec. 4, 2020, the district received water testing results from a second round of testing at Pine Bush Elementary School. Two outlets from the first round of testing were re-tested, and four additional outlets were tested. One source that was re-sampled from the first round of testing had a reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Handwashing sink in the kitchen was re-sampled and had an action level of 28.7 ppb
Remediation: The sink was removed.
View the full Dec. 4, 2020 water testing results from Pine Bush Elementary School [PDF]
Westmere Elementary School
Round One of Testing at WES
On Feb. 19, 2020, the district received the water testing results for Westmere Elementary School, which includes 101 water outlet samples throughout the building. No samples had a reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
View the full Feb. 19, 2020 water testing results from Westmere Elementary School [PDF].
Round Two of Testing at WES
On Feb. 4, 2021, the district received water testing results from one outlet during a second round of testing at Westmere Elementary School, which did not read above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb). This outlet was not sampled during the first round of testing.
View the full Feb. 4, 2021 water testing results from Farnsworth Middle School [PDF].
Farnsworth Middle School
Round One of Testing at FMS
On Feb. 11, 2020, the district received the water testing results for Farnsworth Middle School, which includes 218 water outlet samples throughout the building with one reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink in prep room 380 had an action level of 517 ppb
Remediation: Sink has signage indicating “for handwashing only” and replacement parts have been ordered.
View the full Feb. 11, 2020 water testing results from Farnsworth Middle School [PDF].
Round Two of Testing at FMS
On Dec. 4, 2020, the district received water testing results from a second round of testing at Farnsworth Middle School. One outlet was tested and it did not result in a reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):.
View the full Dec. 2, 2020 water testing results from Farnsworth Middle School [PDF].
Guilderland High School
Round One of Testing at GHS
On Feb. 12, 2020, the district received water testing results for Guilderland High School, which includes 162 samples throughout the building with four reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink by bathroom 23 had an action level of 17.9 ppb
- Sink in the kitchen had an action level of 17.1 ppb
- Sink in the kitchen bathroom had an action level of 21.8 ppb
- Sink in the boy’s bathroom by Cafe A had an action level of 18.9 ppb
Remediation: All sinks have signage indicating “for handwashing only” and replacement parts have been ordered. Re-sampling will take place.
View the full Feb. 12, 2020 water testing results from Guilderland High School [PDF].
Round Two of Testing at GHS
On Dec. 8, 2020, the district received water testing results from a second round of testing at Guilderland High School. Twenty-one outlets were tested — re-sampling 4 outlets from the first round of testing, and seventeen additional outlets were tested. The following outlets had a reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink by bathroom 23 was re-sampled and had an action level of 23.9 ppb.
- Sink in bathroom 413 was not working during the first round of testing and was sampled during the second round. The sink had an action level of 18.4 ppb.
- Sink in the 715A boys bathroom had an action level of 21.3 ppb.
Remediation: All sinks will have new fixtures installed and re-sampling will take place.
View the full Dec.8, 2020 water testing results from the Guilderland High School [PDF].
Round Three of Testing at GHS
On June 4, 2021, the district received water testing results from a third round of testing at Guilderland High School.
Three outlets were tested with one reading above the action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb):
- Sink in the boy’s bathroom by Room 25
Remediation: Sink has signage indicating “for handwashing only” and replacement parts have been ordered. Re-sampling will take place.
View the full June 4, 2021 water testing results from Guilderland High School [PDF].
If you have any trouble accessing the documents linked from this page, please contact the Communications Office at communications@guilderlandschools.net or 518-456-6200. The FREE Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded here.