As you may be aware, the East Rockaway School District, like all districts on Long Island, recently performed testing for lead at all sources of drinkable water in the district. With the health and safety of students and staff being the district’s top priority, the Board of Education hired J.C. Broderick & Associates, Inc. to perform these services in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s protocols.
The district is pleased to report that across all of our buildings, only one source of drinkable water, at Rhame Avenue School, tested outside of the EPA’s guidelines in preliminary tests. This source was immediately taken offline, remedied and retested. As a precaution, 94 non-drinking faucets, three kitchen faucets and two classroom faucets were also replaced districtwide. All sources of drinking water in the district are now in full compliance with EPA guidelines.
East Rockaway High School/Middle School
Sampling was performed at 148 water sources throughout the school, and the district is happy to report that the assessment and testing performed indicate that the lead levels at each of the sources meet federal guidelines. As an added precaution, the district purchased 94 new non-drinking faucets to replace those in the science lab and various classrooms.
Centre Avenue School
Sampling was performed at 30 water sources in the school. The assessment and testing performed indicate that the lead levels at each of the drinking water outlets servicing the school building currently meet federal guidelines. As an added precaution, the district replaced two non-drinking faucets in the school.
Rhame Avenue School
Sampling was performed at 35 sources of drinkable water buildingwide, and lead was initially detected above the action level at only one source. Upon receipt of the results, this source was removed from service, remedied and retested. Lead concentrations from the retesting were reported below the EPA action level and therefore, this outlet has been returned to service. Three additional kitchen faucets were also replaced, and all sources of drinking water throughout Rhame currently meet EPA guidelines.