2 Dover Schools Under 'Do Not Drink' Water Advisories

DOVER PLAINS, NY — "Do not drink" water advisories were issued for two Dutchess County schools Wednesday.

The state Department of Health, in coordination with the Dutchess County Department of Behavioral & Community Health, recommended the advisories for Dover Middle School and Dover High School in Dover Plains.

Officials said the advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution and directed the school community to stop using water for drinking, cooking and food preparation.

The state is coordinating with the county and the school district to make sure bottled water is being provided to the schools as needed.

Health officials said the water is acceptable for handwashing and various cleaning activities including washing dishes.

The advisories were issued following the recent discovery of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the schools' water systems at levels above New York's recently adopted maximum contaminant levels of 10 parts per trillion, each, for PFOA and PFOS.

Standards require water systems of all sizes to test for these previously unregulated contaminants notify consumers if the results exceed the standards and take the appropriate actions to bring the water systems back into compliance. The sampling also showed elevated levels of a similar, unregulated chemical, perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA).

The school district with working with the county and the state to collect additional samples and discuss long-term solutions to improve water quality. Agencies are also trying to identify and address the potential sources of contamination.

When the water is deemed acceptable for all uses, the school community will be informed.

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