Water Testing

The Hudson City School District is committed to providing a safe, healthy learning environment for all students, teachers, and staff. As part of that commitment, the District has voluntarily tested drinking water in its school buildings since 2007 to help ensure the safety and quality of its water supply.

Long before New York State required schools to conduct routine lead testing, HCSD proactively monitored its drinking water in response to growing regional and national concerns about water quality. Today, the District continues to meet all state-mandated testing requirements while maintaining its longstanding commitment to protecting the health and well-being of everyone in our schools.

Water testing results and related information are available below.

Testing and Results

2025 Testing Results

At Montgomery C. Smith Elementary School, all 59 outlets tested below New York State’s 5 parts-per-billion (ppb) action level for lead.

At the secondary schools, the district tested both outlets required under state guidance and, as an added precaution, additional outlets in areas such as science labs, classrooms, art rooms and the wood shop.

  • Hudson Junior High School: 52 outlets were tested; 24 exceeded the 5 ppb action level.
  • Hudson High School: 95 outlets were tested; 18 exceeded the 5 ppb action level.

The elevated results were primarily associated with classroom and laboratory sinks and designated handwashing sinks rather than outlets intended for drinking or food preparation. All water outlets in school kitchens, drinking fountains and ice machines tested within acceptable limits for drinking and consumption. The agriculture classroom outlet also tested within acceptable limits.

Actions Taken

When an outlet tested above the state action level, it was immediately removed from service for drinking-water use.

The district has taken several measures to reduce potential exposure, including:

  • Posting New York State Department of Health-approved “Hand-Washing Only” signs at designated sinks that are not approved for drinking-water use.
  • Permanently disconnecting and removing some laboratory sinks from service.
  • Restricting use of affected classroom, laboratory and handwashing outlets.
  • Evaluating and implementing appropriate remediation measures, which may include replacing filters, flushing infrequently used outlets, and replacing older faucet fixtures and related hardware.
  • Retesting outlets with a history of elevated results as part of the district’s ongoing monitoring efforts.

Outlets that tested below the 5 ppb action level remain in service without restrictions.

Understanding the Testing

New York State requires schools to test outlets that are being used, or could potentially be used, for drinking or cooking. Schools are not required to test tempered water or outlets that are not used for drinking or consumption when those outlets are clearly identified as hand-washing only.

The district also tested additional outlets beyond those required by the state, as an added precaution.

The district will continue to work with the appropriate health authorities and follow New York State requirements regarding school drinking-water testing and remediation.

For additional information about New York State’s school drinking-water testing requirements, visit the New York State Department of Health’s guidance on lead testing in school drinking water.

 

Testing and Results (2016 & 2020)