Important Information about Lead in the Fredonia Central School District’s Drinking Water - 2025 Testing

On September 6, 2016, the Governor signed into law legislation requiring all public schools in the state to test their drinking water fixtures for lead.  The Fredonia Central School District sampled our water fixtures in the Wheelock on April  8, 2025. We tested the elementary, middle, and high schools on April 7, 2025.  We found that some of the samples contained elevated levels of lead.  Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.  This report provides information about lead, our test results, and remediation efforts.

Background

These regulations require water fixtures on school property that could be used for drinking and cooking to be sampled for lead.  If samples from fixtures contain lead above a certain level, referred to as the “Action Level,” then we must take measures to reduce lead in those fixtures.  The action level for lead is set by the NYSDOH at 15 parts per billion (ppb).  

Sources of Lead

Lead is a common metal found in the environment. Drinking water is one possible source of lead exposure. The main sources of lead exposure are lead-based paint, lead-contaminated dust or soil, and some plumbing materials. In addition, lead can be found in certain types of pottery, pewter, brass fixtures, food, and cosmetics.

Water in contact with copper plumbing with lead soldered joints or brass fixtures can leach lead out of the plumbing.  The use of lead solder in plumbing was banned by the EPA in 1987, and in 2014 EPA reduced the amount of lead that plumbing fixtures can contain from 8% to less than 1%.

EPA estimates that 10 to 20 percent of a person’s potential exposure to lead may come from drinking water. Infants who consume mostly formula mixed with lead-containing water can receive 40 to 60 percent of their exposure to lead from drinking water.

Health Effects of Lead

Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of the body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Low levels of lead can also affect adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure. Lead is stored in the bones, and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Exposure to Lead

1. Run your water to flush out lead. Run water for 15-30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking, if it hasn’t been used for several hours. This flushes lead-containing water from the pipes.

2. Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula. Do not cook with or drink water from the hot water tap; lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Do not use water from the hot water tap to make baby formula.

3. Do not boil water to remove lead. Boiling water will not reduce lead.

4. Don’t forget about other sources of lead, including lead paint, lead dust, and lead in soil. Wash your children’s hands and toys often, as they can come into contact with dirt and dust containing lead.

Should your child be tested for lead?

New York Public Health Law requires primary health care providers to screen each child for blood lead levels at one and two years of age.  In addition, at each routine well-child visit, or at least annually if a child has not had routine well-child visits, primary health care providers assess each child who is at least six months of age, but under six years of age, for high lead exposure.  Children found to be at risk for high lead levels should be screened or referred for lead screening. 

If your child has not had routine well-child visits since the age of one year and you are concerned about lead exposure to your child, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead.

For More Information

Call us at (716) 679-1581, extension 2701, or visit our website athttps://www.fredonia.wnyric.org/.  For more information on lead in drinking water, contact the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services at 716-753-4481 or the New York State Department of Health at (518) 402-7650.  For more information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visitthe EPA's website or call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD.

You can download the complete document here.