More than 1,600 California school water fountains test positive for lead

Roughly 1 in 5 California schools have detectable levels of lead in their drinking water.

That’s unacceptable. Lead is a potent neurotoxin, especially for children, because it affects how they grow and learn. More than 1,600 drinking water fountains in the state have tested positive—though that number is likely higher as some schools missed a July 1 State Water Resources Control Board deadline and only five fountains per school are required to be tested.

“We cannot accept exposing kids to lead in their drinking water,” said Emily Rusch, executive director of CALPIRG Education Fund. “Drinking water is one of the most basic, essential needs that schools must provide for their students.”

CALPIRG Education Fund is calling on school districts throughout the state to proactively install filters on water fountains and replace pipes and plumbing fixtures as needed to get lead down to less than one part per billion.

See the lead test results with CALPIRG Education Fund’s interactive map.

Photo Caption: ABC 7 News covered reports that more than 1,600 school drinking water fountains in California tested positive for lead. Photo Credit: KGO-TV San Francisco