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AP Study Reveals Schools Failing Clean Water Test

Monday, October 05, 2009

Over 2,200 schools, representing 100 school districts, covering all 50 states were given failing grades for violating the Safe Drinking Water Act. Cited in a study conducted by the Associated Press, which analyzed federal drinking water violations over the past ten years, one of every five schools supplying their own water (well water) exceeded allowable levels of toxins such as lead, arsenic and coliform bacteria.

While the findings represent a relatively small percentage of the nations 132,000+ schools, some believe this is only the iceberg's tip. Consider that a 2006 survey by the Centers for Disease Control found that only half of schools nationwide actually test their water for lead (never thought I'd hear schools being accused of not testing enough). And consider the failing grades of individual states are now "posted" on the internet, A.K.A. the world's largest bulletin board, for all to scoff.

Not surprisingly California, with the most schools, recorded the most violations. Back in February we reported on the L.A. Unfired School District's lead contamination problems (see L.A. Unified School District Serious About Getting the Lead Out). But let's give them extra credit for leading the charge on new lead free laws for plumbing fittings. Clearly, as visibility is elevated, more schools will be forced to take matters into their own hands and voluntarily test the water they are delivering to their students.

For a full report card, check out the AP's video and article, posted on MSNBC which includes an interactive map for state by state, school by school violations. Watts and its affiliated brands are ahead of the curve and now offer Lead-Free* products to meet California and Vermont's new legislation that goes into affect January 1, 2010. For more information on specific product availability, click on the Getting Started tab.

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Posted in: Mainstream

*The wetted surface of our Lead Free products contacted by consumable water contain less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of lead by weight.