The New York State Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, issued an unflattering audit report on the Bayport-Blue Point Central School District with regard to lead in the school’s drinking water.
The audit found that district officials did not properly identify, report or implement needed remediation to reduce lead exposure in all potable water outlets as required by state law and Department of Health regulations.
Lead poisoning can cause neurological issues such as slowing children’s growth, causing learning and behavioral issues or causing hearing and speech problems which can lead to greater difficulty performing well in school and beyond. To aid in combating lead poisoning, New York State (NYS) requires all public school districts and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) to test potable (i.e., consumable) water for lead, report the results and implement necessary remediation.
“Of the 470 water outlets the district sampled for testing, 120 (26%) exceeded the lead action level. Auditors reviewed 25 of the water outlets with actionable lead levels and determined that 11 (44%) were not retested and effective controls were not implemented to prevent them from being used for cooking or drinking,” said the report.
District officials also did not always report laboratory test results within the required time periods. Officials posted the test results of the potable water outlet sampling on the district’s website five weeks late.
Although lead poisoning in Suffolk County is not as much of a problem as it is in some other NY counties, between 85-95 children in Suffolk County are diagnosed with lead poisoning each year. Effects from high lead levels can include damage to the brain and nervous system and slowed growth and development. Children may also have learning and behavior problems and hearing and speech problems.
The Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program coordinates care with healthcare providers and offers a complete lead exposure risk assessment. For more information, call the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program at 631-854-0215.
The Audit recommends that the District should:
- Develop complete sampling and remedial action plans for all District water outlets that could be used for drinking and cooking. Sample all water outlets that could be used for drinking and cooking and properly secure against use any water outlets designated as exempt from sampling.
- Remediate or implement effective long-term controls for all water outlets that exceed the lead action level.
- Review all work related to the lead testing program for accuracy and completeness.
- Develop procedures for all individuals involved in lead testing and reporting and their roles and responsibilities.
- Notify all required parties in the required time periods.