In this Jan. 7, 2011, file photo, water flows from a fountain at the Boys and Girls Club in Concord, NH.
DENVER (KDVR) – A new analysis by the Colorado Public Interest Research Group has found that many of Colorado’s largest schools and daycares have water contaminated with lead.
The CoPIRG Foundation has launched its new “Get the Lead Out” campaign this week as an initiative to encourage schools, daycares and early learning facilities to take back any fixtures that have tested positive for high levels of lead.
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The state’s 10 largest districts had schools where faucets or fountains tested positive for lead and more than half of those fixtures have yet to be repaired, according to CoPIRG.
“We want to make sure they can get the work done before students return to school in the fall,” said Kirsten Schatz of CoPIRG.
Public schools, preschools and daycares tested their waters after a 2022 state law made it a requirement.
The CoPIRG report and the online toolkit that emerged with this initiative show those results and where each school is in its remediation process.
“Our analysis of lead levels in drinking water reported by schools found that there are lead-contaminated facilities in all of Colorado’s largest school districts and much of the required remediation remains incomplete nearly a year after testing,” Schatz said.
More than 64,000 homes in Denver have lead pipes. New federal funds will replace them.
The state’s largest school district, Denver Public Schools, is on the list with 94 facilities requiring action. But DPS says that doesn’t mean those water sources are being used.
Joni Rix, DPS environmental services manager, told FOX31 the district would never use or let a child near a water source that tested positive.
“When we did our first round of sampling, anything that tested 4.5 or higher was tagged, turned off, or taken out of service so it couldn’t be used as a drinking water source until we could confirm it had been repaired.” Rix said.
DPS also said the report is not completely up to date with water fixtures that have been updated, so some of the ones listed online may be safe again.
“We know that lead is harmful and affects children. And we certainly don’t want to harm anyone’s health while they’re in our buildings. We want to create the best environment possible for our children and our staff,” Rix said.
CoPIRG’s recommendation is that schools install filters at every water fountain and faucet. DPS said it’s too expensive a solution, but supports CoPIRG and efforts to have clean, safe water for all children.
If you are curious about what your student’s school is like, you can visit the CoPIRG toolbox to see where your student’s school is located.
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