Dozens of Long Island school districts test positive for lead in water

According to the state, more than 40 school districts in Suffolk County and over 20 districts in Nassau County have faucets or water fountains with lead levels exceeding the state’s newly enforced limit.

Kevin Vesey

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Dec 15, 2025, 10:17 PM

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Updated

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New data from the New York State Department of Health shows that dozens of Long Island school districts have tested positive for lead in their drinking water, prompting concerns among parents and advocates and requiring districts to take corrective action.

According to the state, more than 40 school districts in Suffolk County and over 20 districts in Nassau County have faucets or water fountains with lead levels exceeding the state’s newly enforced limit. The updated standard lowers the acceptable level of lead in school drinking water to 5 parts per billion, down from the previous threshold of 15 parts per billion.

For parents like Lakia, who has a child in the Connetquot School District, the news is troubling. Recent test results revealed that dozens of faucets in district buildings tested positive for lead, including all 70 spigots tested at Connetquot High School.

“You want to have healthy children, so as a parent it is concerning,” Lakia said.

The issue is not isolated. Earlier reports showed the Farmingdale School District closed several water fountains after elevated lead levels were discovered. The latest statewide data suggests the problem is widespread across aging school infrastructure on Long Island.

Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said the findings are not surprising given the age of many school buildings.

“A lot of the infrastructure in schools tends to be very old,” Esposito said. “When the pipes are old, they’re more likely to have lead.”

Health experts warn that lead exposure can be particularly harmful to children, potentially causing brain dysfunction, lower IQ levels and learning disorders. Esposito is urging parents to take precautions while districts work to address the contamination.

“For the schools where they have detected lead, we would encourage parents to have the students bring a reusable water bottle, stainless steel, not plastic,” she said.

State officials say action is required for any water fountain or faucet found to have lead concentrations above five parts per billion. This can include shutting off affected fixtures, making repairs or replacing plumbing altogether.

News 12 reached out to the Connetquot School District for comment regarding the test results and next steps but did not receive an immediate response.