The California State Assembly has passed a bill aimed at removal all lead from drinking and cooking water used in schools, according to a press release from the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
If signed into law, the bill would require lead tests at all drinking water fountains and all faucets of water used to cook for children in certain schools. It would affect all schools serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, that receive federal Title 1 funds. About 65% of California's K-12 schools fall into this category.
The bill would also set a legal goal of reducing school lead levels to zero. If lead is detected at schools above 5 parts per billion, the contamination must be addressed.
Dedicated federal and state funds would pay for the tests and cleanup.
The legislation, Assembly Bill 249, now heads to the Senate, where EWG predicts it will face opposition from the state’s water boards.
A.B. 249 was introduced by Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena).
“Lead consumption among youth and disenfranchised communities occurs at a higher rate,” said Holden. “Helping schools with resources and criteria to regulate the water fountains that most children drink from is a step toward healthier schools, students and communities.”
In 2018, legislation Holden authored went into effect that required licensed child care centers in the state to test their tap water for lead contamination.
Results of those tests were released this month and revealed high levels of lead across many facilities. Nearly 1,700 licensed child care centers statewide – one in four – have exceeded California’s allowable amount of lead in drinking water given daily to preschool-age children and infants.
EWG and Children Now, a nonprofit focused on children’s health, are co-sponsors of the bill.
