Since the Flint Water Crisis took the nation by storm, we continue to see the issue and concern of water quality rise, especially in facilities, like schools, where contaminated water impacts our youth. Recently, studies have shown that a number of school districts, such as Ithaca and Buffalo districts in New York State, are testing positive for lead contamination in their water systems. In response, parents, teachers, and environmental groups have been advocating for the implementation of a mandated testing system.
Routine water testing is costly to already under-funded schools. While some schools have begun testing their water, they are less than likely to actually see it through in routine testing, given the cost. There is a large issue when the cost comes into play, and schools choose to allocate money elsewhere. This is only furthered by the fact that most schools are not required to perform routine testing under the Clean Water Act. This must be addressed because in buildings constructed prior to 1986, there is a high likelihood that there are pipes laden with lead, ready to trigger the next big disaster.
Throughout the state, public schools participate in Building Condition Surveys, conducted every five years. But these surveys fail to look at the associated risk between lead pipes and lead contamination, and they fail to perform proper water testing and remediation.
In late March 2016, Sen. O’Mara & Assm. Lupardo introduced bill S7103A/A9687A, which serves to “require school districts and cooperative educational services to conduct periodic testing of school potable water sources and systems to monitor for lead contamination in certain school buildings.”
In partnership with the Healthy Schools Network, New York Public Interest Research Group, and WE-ACT for Environmental Justice; the New York League of Conservation Voters has worked to form a five point action plan to be addressed:
- Mandate that all schools test their water for lead and copper contamination at the tap.
- Provide safe drinking water if elevated lead levels are in school drinking and cooking water.
- Tell test results to parents, teachers quickly.
- Funding to pay for remediation such as filters or new pipes.
- Report school water testing annually, with results compiled by the State Department of Health
Reflecting on our five point action plan, this bill will serve to provide state funding for testing and remediation, require the state DOH to create an annual report of test results, and most importantly, inform parents and teachers of the test results – a major component lacking in many policies across our country.
“Schools should be a safe haven for our students, and it is incumbent upon the state to ensure children’s safety and well-being in all matters of public health,” said NYSUT Vice President Paul Pecorale. “Adopting this commonsense plan is simply wise public policy.”