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Special Report

Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk

Testing for lead in drinking water is ongoing in thousands of California schools to comply with a new state law. But gaps in that law and practices to deal with the lead that is found continue to expose children to the harmful toxic metal. EdSource’s special report reveals the extent of lead contamination in water in schools across California where water has been tested. Our presentation includes an interactive map of every public school in California with available data.
Legislation
September 16, 2022

California school organizations urge veto of latest bill to remove lead in school water

They point to high cost of removing lead pipes proposed by pipe fitters union, drafter of the bill. Others argue the standard for treatment remains hazardous for kids.

John Fensterwald
School Finance
October 7, 2019

$15 billion California school bond headed for March ballot with Newsom’s signature

Higher ed to get $6 billion and K-12 schools $9 billion, with most dollars earmarked for renovations; low-wealth, low-income districts would be favored.

John Fensterwald
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 17, 2019

Removing lead from water would be priority in proposed school construction bond

$150 million for testing, remediation would remove lead in schools statewide but based on a standard that pediatricians say is still hazardous.

John Fensterwald
School Finance
September 11, 2019

Gov. Newsom, lawmakers strike deal on $15 billion education construction bond

The proposed bond on the March 2020 ballot will include money for K-12 districts, including preschool, community colleges, UC and CSU.

John Fensterwald
Getting Down to Facts
June 20, 2019

$13 billion state bond for school construction targeted for 2020 California ballot

The author of the bill, Patrick O'Donnell, says he is open to examining the fairness of the school modernization program's funding.

John Fensterwald
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 26, 2018

Under local pressure, California school districts adopt lower lead limits for water

Oakland, San Diego and Berkeley Unified are among the districts that have adopted lower limits for lead in water than the state law.

Nico Savidge And Daniel J. Willis
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 25, 2018

Lead problems in water linger at Los Angeles schools, despite years of testing and repairs

Los Angeles Unified has tested water in all of its schools for lead over the last decade, but critics say its policies put children at risk.

Nico Savidge And Daniel J. Willis
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 24, 2018

Gaps in California law requiring schools to test for lead could leave children at risk

A new law requires schools to test their water for lead, but children could remain exposed to dangerous levels of the toxic metal.

Nico Savidge And Daniel J. Willis
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 24, 2018

Interactive Map: Lead levels found in California schools' drinking water

Use this searchable map to browse the tests result at the more than 3,700 California schools which have already conducted tests for lead.

Yuxuan Xie And Justin Allen
Tainted Taps: Lead puts California students at risk
September 24, 2018

Search lead test results in California school water

A new state law requires California schools to test water for lead. This database shows the highest test result at the more than 3,700 schools which have already conducted tests.

Daniel J. Willis And Justin Allen