DRINKING WATER WARNING: Lead Action Level Exceedance Notice

Sampling shows elevated lead levels in some classrooms

Oct. 9, 2025

Dear MACS Family and Community,

We want to inform you about recent water testing conducted at Palermo Elementary. As part of our ongoing commitment to student and staff safety, we routinely test water sources for lead. During our latest round of testing, elevated levels of lead were detected in some classrooms within our school.

Lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Please read this information closely to see what you can do to reduce lead in your drinking water.

What is an Action Level?

The lead action level is a measure of the effectiveness of corrosion control treatment in water systems. The action level is not a standard for establishing a safe level of lead in a home. To check if corrosion control is working, EPA requires water systems to test for lead at the tap in homes or buildings that are likely to have elevated levels of lead, including those with lead service lines. We compare sample results from those homes/buildings to NYS and federal action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If 10 percent of the samples from these classrooms have water concentrations that are greater than the action level, then the system must perform actions such as public education, adjusting treatment, and lead service line replacement.

What Happened?

On September 23^rd we collected 5 samples from classrooms in the school and analyzed them for lead. Lead was detected in 2 of the samples resulting in an action level exceedance.

Palermo Elementary is focused on protecting the health of every student and employee in our community; however, lead from service lines and lead plumbing and fixtures can dissolve or break off into water and end up at the faucet.

This does not mean that every classroom has lead in drinking water. It does mean that you should understand how to reduce your exposure to lead through water.

Keep in mind that drinking water is not the only potential source of lead exposure, since lead can be found in air, soil, and paint. For more information on all sources of lead, click on this EPA site link.

Health Effects of Lead

*Exposure to lead in drinking water can cause serious health effects in all age groups. Infants and children can have decreases in IQ and attention span. Lead exposure can lead to new learning and behavior problems or exacerbate existing learning and behavior problems. The children of women who are exposed to lead before or during pregnancy can have increased risk of these adverse health effects. Adults can have increased risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney, or nervous system problems.*

Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Exposure to Lead in Your Water

Below are recommended actions that you may take, separately or in combination, if you are concerned about lead in your drinking water. The list also includes where you may find more information and is not intended to be a complete list or to imply that all actions equally reduce lead from drinking water. 

• Use your filter properly. Using a filter can reduce lead in drinking water. If you use a filter, it should be certified to remove lead. Read any directions provided with the filter to learn how to properly install, maintain, and use your cartridge and when to replace it. Using the cartridge after it has expired can make it less effective at removing lead. Do not run hot water through the filter. For more information on facts and advice on home water filtration systems, visit EPA’s website by clicking on this link and EPA’s Consumer Tool for Identifying Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead by clicking this link.
• Clean your aerator. Regularly remove and clean your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator). Sediment, debris, and lead particles can collect in your aerator. If lead particles are caught in the aerator, lead can get into your water.

• Use cold water. Do not use hot water from the tap for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula as lead dissolves more easily into hot water. Boiling water does not remove lead from water. 
• Run your water. The more time water has been sitting in your pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, flush your pipes by running the tap.

Get Your Child Tested to Determine Lead Levels in His or Her Blood

A family doctor or pediatrician can perform a blood test for lead and provide information about the health effects of lead. State, city, or county departments of health can also provide information about how you can have your child's blood tested for lead.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that public health actions be initiated when the level of lead in a child’s blood is 3.5 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or more.

For more information and links to CDC’s website, please click on this link.

What is Being Done?

To address elevated lead levels and ensure the safety of our water system, we are taking the following steps:

• Comprehensive Monitoring: We are expanding our lead and water quality testing to better understand the scope of the issue. This includes initiating biannual lead sampling and conducting additional assessments of our water supply system.
• Corrosion Control Evaluation: We are working with experts to identify the most effective corrosion control treatment strategy to reduce lead levels.
• Immediate Remediation Measures: Any tap with lab results exceeding the Action Level for Lead (AEL) will be clearly marked and taken offline until it is deemed safe.

Next Steps

• We will provide educational resources and updates to staff, students, and families by November 3rd to ensure everyone is informed and supported.

*For more information on lead in drinking water, contact your local health department at 315-349-3557 or the New York State Department of Health directly by calling the toll-free number 1-800-458-1158, extension 27650, or out of state at (518) 402-7650, or by email at bpwsp@health.ny.gov. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk from lead in drinking water are available from the EPA’s website via this link.

This notice is being sent to you by The Palermo Elementary School.

State Public Water System (PWS) ID#: NY3708984

Date distributed: October 9, 2025