New York City is expanding protections against lead contamination in public school drinking water, including more frequent testing, increased flushing and new filtration requirements for faucets that repeatedly show elevated lead levels.
The NYC Health Department and New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) announced the measures on Sept. 17, backed by an initial $5 million investment from the city.
According to the NYC Health Department, New York City’s water is virtually lead-free when it arrives from the city’s upstate reservoir system. However, lead can occasionally enter drinking water through solder, plumbing fixtures or pipes inside school buildings.
The city said the new measures follow recent reporting by the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), which raised concerns about recurring elevated lead readings at some school faucets despite previous remediation efforts.
Testing and flushing to increase
Under the new policy, schools where water fixtures test above 5 parts per billion (ppb) for lead will be tested at least once a year instead of once every three years. The affected fixture will also be completely replaced.
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New York State’s action level for lead in school drinking water is 5 ppb, compared with the current federal level of 15 ppb.
NYCPS is also increasing the flushing of school faucets and drinking fountains. Custodial staff already flush fixtures every Monday, or on the next day schools reopen following a holiday or extended break, to clear water that may have remained sitting in pipes.
For faucets that continue to exceed the 5 ppb threshold after remediation, the school system will install filters designed to reduce lead. Officials will also investigate the plumbing to determine the underlying source of repeated elevated readings and remove it where possible. Water will be tested again after filtration and remediation.
“As a father, the safety of our children is my top priority and no family should send their child to school wondering if the water is safe for them to drink,” Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels said.
Childhood lead levels reach historic lows
City officials said the additional safeguards build on lead-reduction measures introduced in New York City schools in 2018.
The number of young children with elevated blood lead levels has fallen sharply over the past two decades. In 2025, the number of children under age six with blood lead levels of at least 3.5 micrograms per deciliter was 94 percent lower than in 2005 and 16 percent lower than in 2024, according to the Health Department.
Officials said the new filtration and source-removal measures are intended to address the relatively small number of fixtures where elevated lead readings recur after earlier repairs.
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