Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) today announced that the state Assembly and Senate have come to an agreement on a piece of legislation that will work to ensure the safety of drinking water in public schools and in boards of cooperative educational services (BOCES). Under the measure, the costs of this testing and resulting upgrades will be reimbursed by the state (A.10740).

Studies show that high levels of lead can negatively impact a young child’s ability to learn and even cause brain damage.¹ Testing of school drinking water this past spring in the Niskayuna school district yielded mixed results, with a first round of testing showing high levels of lead and a second showing the water to be safe. Recent tests of the Schenectady school district’s water showed it to be in safe drinking condition.

“Concerns over the safety of drinking water strike fear in the heart of every parent,” said Assemblymember Steck. “Lead poisoning has disastrous consequences, especially during crucial stages of cognitive development, and it’s a fundamental duty of state government to ensure that the young children placed in our care are not in environments dangerous to their health. It is reassuring that test results from our local schools have come back safe, ensuring that our children have access to safe drinking water while at school.”

The legislation passed by the Assembly would direct state agencies to ensure that schools periodically test for lead and provides that the state will assist with the associated costs. Currently, some school districts have voluntarily tested for lead, but it is not required by law. If lead is found in the water, additional testing must occur following remediations to ensure the water is safe. Additionally, safe drinking water must be provided and parents notified of the test results in a timely manner.

“This public health issue demands our attention,” Assemblymember Steck continued. “We cannot let any school or any child fall through the cracks – the costs of testing and repairs are meaningless when weighed against the potential costs of failing to act.”

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