The grades are in: Report finds states not doing enough to get lead out of school drinking water
Lead contaminates the water coming out of drinking fountains and taps at schools across the country, and at least 22 states aren't doing enough about it.
Lead contaminates the water coming out of drinking fountains and taps at schools across the country, and at least 22 states aren’t doing enough about it.
“Get the Lead Out,” a study published March 21 by U.S. PIRG Education Fund and our network partners Environment America Research & Policy Center, examined the policies of 31 states and Washington, D.C., and assigned grades based on how well they protect children from lead in drinking water at school. Twenty-two states earned an F grade, with only Illinois and D.C. grading above the C range.
“Our kids deserve safe drinking water where they learn and play,” said U.S. PIRG Education Fund President Faye Park. “We join with doctors, parents and local officials to call for swift action to ensure lead-free water at schools and daycare centers.”
U.S. PIRG and our national network are working in more than a dozen states to protect drinking water for millions of children by advancing policies to proactively get the lead out.
Photo Caption: CALPIRG staff release the “Get the Lead Out” report in March. Photo Credit: Tommy Ton
