Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Rush-Henrietta Central School District (NY)
9 ZIP codes · 17 water systems · 3,977,024 people served · Updated 2026-07-23
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Rush-Henrietta Central School District: 77 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.
Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23
Why School Water Quality Matters
Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.
Water Quality Overview
The Rush-Henrietta Central School District in New York spans 9 ZIP codes served by 17 community water systems, providing water to approximately 3,977,024 people.
The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (64/100)
- with the lowest-scoring area at 53/100 .
Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 61% nationally.
Why This Matters for Children
Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:
- Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
- PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
- Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
- Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.
Lead Levels in the District
| Metric | Value | EPA Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| Average lead level (90th percentile) | 0.0067 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L |
| Highest lead level | 0.019 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L EXCEEDS |
| ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level | 1 of 9 | - |
EPA Violation History
Contaminants of Concern
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 46 | Yes | 6 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | No | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | Yes | 3 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 15 | No | 4 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 9 | No | 3 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | No | 3 |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other | 3 | No | 3 |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other | 3 | No | 3 |
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)
2 of 9 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.
Water Quality by ZIP Code
| ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Violations | Health | Lead Level | Exceeds? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14618 | Rochester | B (70) | 67 | 2 | 0.0047 mg/L | No |
| 14620 | Rochester | B (75) | 67 | 2 | 0.0047 mg/L | No |
| 14623 | Rochester | C (65) | 67 | 2 | 0.0047 mg/L | No |
| 14534 | Pittsford | C (59) | 10 | 0 | 0.0034 mg/L | No |
| 14414 | Avon | C (67) | 5 | 3 | 0.0034 mg/L | No |
| 14543 | Rush | C (57) | 2 | 1 | 0.019 mg/L | Yes |
| 14467 | Henrietta | D (53) | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 14472 | Honeoye Falls | C (63) | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 14586 | West Henrietta | C (63) | 0 | 0 | — | — |
Water Systems Serving This District
| Water System | Population Served | Source | ZIP Codes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCWA | 496,753 | Surface water | 14467, 14472, 14534 +5 more |
| Rochester City | 214,000 | Surface water | 14618, 14620, 14623 |
| Mcwa Genesee | 15,577 | Surface water | 14618, 14620, 14623 |
| Sea Breeze Water District | 9,900 | Surface water | 14618, 14620, 14623 |
| Lcwsa Consolidated Water District | 9,892 | Surface water | 14414 |
| Mcwa - Geneva | 8,532 | Surface water | 14534, 14618, 14620, 14623 |
| Avon Village | 3,000 | Surface water | 14414 |
| Avon Town Water District | 3,000 | Surface water | 14414, 14472 |
17 water systems total serve this district.
Lead Risk Assessment
Infrastructure Risk Factors
| Risk Factor | District Average | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Housing built before 1986 | 70.2% | Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986 |
| Housing built before 1950 | 22.2% | Lead pipes were common before 1950 |
| Lead service line probability | 22.3% | Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains |
| Average lead level (90th pctl) | 0.0067 mg/L | EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L |
| Highest measured lead level | 0.019 mg/L | EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L |
Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.
Detailed Violation History
| Contaminant | Category | Total Violations | Health-Based | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 46 | Yes | 6 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 18 | Yes | 3 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | No | 3 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 15 | No | 4 |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other | 9 | No | 3 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 6 | No | 3 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | Yes | 1 |
| Contaminant 1045 | Other | 3 | No | 3 |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other | 3 | No | 3 |
| Contaminant 3001 | Other | 3 | No | 3 |
Most Recent Violations
- Violation in ZIP 14414 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 14414 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 14534 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 14534 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
- Violation in ZIP 14534 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
Is the Water Safe at Rush-Henrietta Central School District Schools?
Several factors warrant attention for families in the Rush-Henrietta Central School District area:
- Water systems in this district have recorded 10 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
- 1 ZIP code have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead is especially dangerous for children.
- 70.2% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
- 77 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.
Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.
What Parents Should Do
Testing
- Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Rush-Henrietta Central School District school board for the most recent results.
- Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.
Advocacy
- Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
- Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
- Contact your water utility about the 77 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.
Resources
ZIP Code Reports for This District
- 14618 — Rochester (Grade: B), 67 violations
- 14620 — Rochester (Grade: B), 67 violations
- 14623 — Rochester (Grade: C), 67 violations
- 14534 — Pittsford (Grade: C), 10 violations
- 14414 — Avon (Grade: C), 5 violations
- 14543 — Rush (Grade: C), 2 violations
- 14467 — Henrietta (Grade: D), no violations
- 14472 — Honeoye Falls (Grade: C), no violations
- 14586 — West Henrietta (Grade: C), no violations
What Parents Can Do
- Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
- Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
- Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
- Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
- Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.
Need help with school water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the water safe in Rush-Henrietta Central School District schools?
Water systems serving Rush-Henrietta Central School District have recorded 10 health-based violations in the past 5 years, and 1 area exceeds the EPA lead action level. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.
Does Rush-Henrietta Central School District test for lead in school water?
Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.
What level of lead is safe for children?
There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- School districts: NCES EDGE Geographic Relationship Files
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.