New York state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York state Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The Greater Johnstown School District failed to test dozens of water sources and didn’t notify parents and staff as required according to an audit by the New York State Comptroller’s Office.

The Comptroller’s office found that 95 of 264 water outlets at select areas, that students, staff and the public could consume water from, were not properly sampled. Of the 275 water outlets the district did sample, 12 exceeded the state’s lead action level.

The tests and notifications are required by public health law and Department of Health regulations.

Four of the 12 outlets had actionable lead levels. Of the four outlets officials noted, two were disabled in January when the office brought them to district officials’ attention, and the other two had signs posted as the only control.

“We determined four of these 12 outlets with actionable lead levels were still in service, were not retested and effective controls were not implemented to prevent them from being used,” the audit said. “Two of the water outlets were located in classrooms; one in a bathroom, and the other at a kitchen sink.”

In an emailed response for comment, the district said its officials were present during the audit and were able to immediately address issues as they were brought to the district’s attention, and that concerns raised by the auditors were promptly resolved, according to incoming Superintendent Alicia D. Koster.

In addition, the district said the audit was standard, and it was randomly picked.

“The District takes the safety and well-being of our students and staff very seriously and, therefore, acted immediately to address District procedures, and respond to deficiencies within our lead in the school drinking water plan,” outgoing Superintendent William Crankshaw said in the letter.

The audit noted 45 water outlets were properly secured against use.

Lead exposure is extremely harmful to children, with it damaging the kidneys and nervous system even in low dosages. Children younger than six-years old are especially vulnerable, which can severely affect mental and physical development; lead was commonly used in paints and piping until it was outlawed in 1986.

In addition to failing to test outlets, the district additionally did not notify staff and parents about outlets that exceeded the lead action level, the audit found.

“Although district officials notified the local health department about the lead action exceedances resulting from tests performed in Cycle Two, they did not notify staff, parents and/or guardians of these results in writing, as required,” the audit said. “Further, while District officials reported all test results through DOH’s Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS), they only posted details on their website of the water outlets that tested above the lead action level and remedial action taken, not the full testing results as required.”

In the district’s response letter, it acknowledged the results of the audit, and its plans to comply with regulatory requirements.

The Board of Education will address the audit findings at its next regularly scheduled business meeting at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 14.

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