Facilities
| Director of Facilities: Mr. Eric Benedict |
| Administrative Assistant: Donna Kiselica |
| Phone Number: 315.655.5354 |
| Office Address 31 Emory Ave Cazenovia, NY 13035 |
We want to share some important news about our ongoing commitment to your children's well-being. As part of New York State's requirements, all schools are now testing their drinking water for lead, and we've recently completed this process here at Cazenovia Central School District. This is a standard step that schools across the state are taking to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students.
What does this testing mean?
Think of it like this: we're checking our water sources, like fountains and kitchen taps, to make sure the water is as clean as possible. The state has recently lowered the limit to 5 parts per billion (ppb) for lead. To be extra careful, we use a "first draw" method. This means we collect water samples after it's been sitting in the pipes for a while, like overnight. This helps us spot any potential issues that might not show up during regular use.
What happens if lead is found?
If any water source shows lead levels above the state's limit, we take immediate action. Unless it's a sink needed for handwashing (where we'd put up a "do not drink" sign), we stop using that water source right away.
Our Plan Moving Forward
The district-wide water testing process is underway. We have completed the initial testing phase at Burton St Elementary and are now carefully reviewing those results. While none of the drinking fountains tested above the state limit, we have identified some other areas with levels that require attention. We have already developed detailed plans to address these specific issues. Once we make those fixes, we'll test the water again to make absolutely sure it meets the state's safety standards before we start using those sources again. Our priority is to address any concerns quickly and effectively.
Understanding Lead
It's important to know that lead is a metal that can be harmful, especially to young children. That's why the state has these rules in place. Lead can come from different places, and testing our water helps us make sure that's not a concern here at school.
Other Places Lead Might Be Found
You might be interested to know that the most common sources of lead exposure, especially for kids, are things like lead-based paint in older homes, as well as lead that's been in soil and dust from past use of lead in things like gasoline and paint. It's less common for lead to be in the water supply itself, but it can happen if a building's plumbing has lead in it.
Should you have your child tested?
The risk for each child depends on a lot of things, like their age, how much water they drink, and the amount of lead in the water. Kids can also be exposed to lead from other sources. The only way to know for sure about your child's lead level is through a blood test. If you have any concerns, it's always a good idea to speak with your child's doctor. The same goes for pregnant women or those who might be pregnant.
We're Here to Help
We want to be sure you have all the information you need. If you have any questions about our testing program or the results, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Director of Facilities, Eric Benedict, at 315-655-5354. You can also find more information within the download(s) below.
For more details about lead in school drinking water, you can also check out these resources from the New York State Department of Health and the State Education Department:
For information about lead poisoning prevention in New York State:
And for more on blood lead testing and reducing exposure risks:
We appreciate your partnership in keeping our schools safe and healthy for all our students. Full report(s) are available below.
