A five-year audit conducted by the New York State Comptroller’s Office has found that the Moravia Central School District failed to properly test and address potential lead exposure in drinking water, as required by state law and Department of Health regulations.
The audit, which reviewed district actions between July 2019 and 2024, revealed that 98 out of 303 potable water outlets—approximately 32%—were either not sampled for lead or not properly exempted during the state’s second lead testing cycle, known as Cycle Two.
Auditors noted that this lapse occurred because the district lacked a formal sampling plan to identify which water outlets needed to be tested or exempted. The district also did not have a remedial action plan in place detailing how untested outlets would be secured against use or what corrective steps would be taken for those that tested above acceptable lead levels.
Without testing data for the 98 outlets, auditors said they could not determine whether those fixtures posed a risk or required remediation.
In addition, the audit found issues with reporting and communication. While the district submitted testing data to the state through the Department of Health’s electronic system (HERDS), it failed to notify the local health department about lead exceedances via email, as required. There was also no documentation that results were communicated in writing to staff, parents, or guardians. Posting of test results on the district website was delayed by up to five weeks beyond the mandated deadline.
According to the report, these issues stemmed in part from district officials not being fully familiar with state reporting requirements and a lack of clearly assigned roles and responsibilities for compliance.
The final audit report includes seven recommendations aimed at improving the district’s oversight, documentation, and communication processes related to lead testing and remediation.
The Board of Education (Board) has the responsibility to initiate corrective action. A written corrective action plan (CAP) that addresses the findings and recommendations in this report must be prepared and provided to the State Comptroller’s office within 90 days, pursuant to Section 35 of the New York State General Municipal Law, Section 2116-a (3)(c) of the New York State Education Law and Section 170.12 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education.
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