Dear Monticello CSD Community Member,
Earlier this week, we were informed that water samples from twenty-seven (27) sink fixtures in Kenneth L. Rutherford Elementary School were found to have amounts of lead that exceeded the acceptable limits of 15 parts per billion. These were sinks in bathrooms, classrooms, and the cafeteria kitchen. Of the 75 fixtures tested at Cooke ES, only these twenty-seven (27) require remediation.
Fixtures that tested with lead levels above the acceptable limit were removed from service, except for sink faucets needed for handwashing. In that case a sign was posted at the sink indicating that it is not to be used for drinking water. We will conduct additional tests on these nine fixtures to pinpoint the cause of the contamination. Once these tests have been completed, we will remedy the identified fixtures.
New York requires schools to test their water for lead every five years. We will report additional results from other Monticello schools (if necessary) once they are available. For more information about the testing process, please see this fact sheet.
The health and safety of our students and staff is very important to us, and we will take every step available to ensure it. Please be assured that we will continue to take the necessary steps to ensure the quality of drinking water throughout our district meets the state regulations. We will keep you informed as we continue to receive the results of the ongoing water testing at our schools.
More information and links to additional resources can be found on the EPA website under “Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water”
I hope you are well, and please enjoy your summer.
Sincerely,
Matthew T. Evans, Ed. D.
Superintendent of Schools