From Environment Texas Research & Policy Center
Getting the lead out of America's drinking water is vital for protecting the health and well-being of our children. Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that can severely impact children's growth, development, and cognitive function, even at low exposure levels. While many think of lead exposure from paint chips or dust, our kids are also at risk of lead contamination through the drinking water at school.
In fact, students at 400,000 schools and childcare centers nationwide face potential lead exposure from the plumbing, fixtures, and drinking fountains that can leach lead into the water they consume. The problem is widespread, but there is good news - some communities are making significant progress to address lead in school drinking water.
Cities like Philadelphia, San Diego, and Milwaukee have found success using a preventative approach. Rather than just testing and remediating taps with confirmed lead, they are proactively replacing lead-bearing fountains and fixtures with new, lead-filtering water stations. Water experts warn that lead testing can be highly variable, and the water may remain "highly hazardous" even when tests fail to detect lead. This comprehensive, preventative strategy provides a roadmap for school districts nationwide to ensure safer drinking water for all students.
By taking these proactive steps to "get the lead out" of school plumbing and fixtures, we can better protect the health and development of our children. Their future depends on the actions we take today to provide safe, lead-free drinking water wherever kids learn and play.
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