East Greenbush CSD Receives Water Quality Testing Results

Jun 17, 2025 | Bell Top, Columbia, District, Genet, Goff, Green Meadow, Pre-K, Red Mill, Sutherland

UPDATE: The East Greenbush Central School District posted lab results for Columbia High School on Monday, June 23, 2025. The story and results posted below have been updated to reflect those changes.

The East Greenbush Central School District conducted water quality testing this spring in accordance with New York State law to determine the amount of lead that exists in water.

Of the 555 outlets tested, 36 were above the New York State Department of Health’s threshold of 5 parts per billion of lead in water. The majority of those outlets were faucets in bathroom and classroom sinks. Only three outlets above the recently changed state threshold were for drinking fountains and each of those results were below the old threshold of 15 parts per billion.

School districts began testing for lead contamination in 2016.

In 2022, the law was revised and the threshold was reduced from 15 parts per billion to 5 parts per billion and the testing period was changed to every three years.

“Lead testing in our schools ensures that the drinking water for our students, staff and visitors is healthy and safe,” said Superintendent Jeff Simons. “I am encouraged that our efforts over the last several years to upgrade our pipes, faucets and drinking fountains are yielding positive results. Our Facilities Department is taking steps to promptly remediate those outlets which tested above the 5 parts per billion threshold.”

Outlets Above the Actionable Level (5 parts per billion)

Bell Top Elementary School

  • None

Donald P. Sutherland Elementary School

  • 6 – Conference Room Sink Faucet
  • Library Sink Faucet
  • Ladies Room – L Bathroom Faucet
  • Ladies Room – R Bathroom Faucet
  • Men’s Room Bathroom Faucet
  • Main Office Book Room Sink Faucet
  • Kitchen – Handwashing by Cooler Sink Faucet
  • 44 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 43 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 43 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 41 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 40 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 30 – Nurse Sink Faucet
  • 30 – Nurse Bathroom Faucet
  • Girls Room Gym Corridor Bathroom Faucet
  • 63 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • Kitchen – Steam Table Kitchen Faucet
  • Water fountain by basement access

Genet Elementary School

  • Girls Locker Room Sink Faucet
  • Fountain – By 413 Water Fountain (Unused Fountain on 2nd floor in Central Administration wing)

Green Meadow Elementary School

  • Girl’s Locker Room Sink Faucet
  • Corridor outside health office Water Fountain
  • Classroom Sink Faucet
  • 2 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • Kitchen – Hand Washing by stove Kitchen Faucet
  • 24 Classroom Sink Faucet
  • Fountain across from library

Red Mill Elementary School

  • None

Howard L. Goff Middle School

  • Girl’s Room by 108 – Far R Bathroom Faucet
  • Boy’s Bathroom Health Corridor – L Bathroom Faucet
  • Taylor 2nd Fl Boys – R Bathroom Faucet
  • Taylor 2nd Fl Girls – Far R Bathroom Faucet

Columbia High School

  • JV Officials Men’s/Women’s – 2nd Bathroom Faucet
  • JV Officials Men’s/Women’s – 3rd Bathroom Faucet
  • JV Officials Men’s/Women’s – 4th Bathroom Faucet
  • JV Officials Men’s/Women’s – 5th Bathroom Faucet
  • 2nd Floor C-Wing Girl’s Rm – R Bathroom Faucet

Next Steps

Any outlets above 5 parts per billion of lead will be remediated and resampled. Remediation efforts include running the water from affected outlets to flush the system, replacement of fixtures, filters and in some cases piping, installation of bottle fillers, and other renovations as needed.

All traditional water fountains that remain in schools will be replaced with new bottle filler stations in the current capital project.

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