Jerome Schad, chair of the Erie County Water Authority Commissioners, explains the test process after water samples are sent to the ECWA. Private and parochial schools in Erie County are strongly encouraged to send samples to the ECWA to test for potential lead levels.
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Erie County Water Authority Commissioner Jerome Schad speaks during a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026.
Erie County Deputy Executive Lisa Chimera urges private and parochial schools and daycare centers to test their water for lead during an event Tuesday at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga.
A closer look at a water testing sample bottle following a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026.
A Buffalo News investigation has found that from 2020 to 2024, nearly 5,000 individual water sources in 193 school buildings across 28 Erie County school districts tested above the state action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) for lead.
Kim Stewart, director of Help Me Grow Western New York, speaks during a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026. (Libby March/Buffalo News)
Erie County Deputy Executive Lisa Chimera urges private and parochial schools and daycare centers to test their water for lead during an event Tuesday at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga.
Kim Stewart, director of Help Me Grow Western New York, speaks during a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026. (Libby March/Buffalo News)
Erie County Water Authority Commissioner Jerome Schad speaks during a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026.
A closer look at a water testing sample bottle following a media conference urging lead testing in private and parochial schools at the Erie County Water Authority in Cheektowaga, Sept. 15, 2026.