Yuck. Only a few school districts in the country meet “the federal government's voluntary aesthetic guidelines for public water utilities,” which set guidelines for taste, odor and color, says The Seattle Times.
Currently, Seattle Public Schools don’t meet these guidelines.
The federal government recommends lead levels of less than 20 parts per billion (ppb) -- a recommendation exceeded by about a quarter of Seattle schools.
“Public health officials say lead exposure can damage a child's brain but caution that it is unlikely that any child in Seattle has suffered neurological damage.” They “caution that it is unlikely” to cause brain damage? Somehow, that’s not completely reassuring. I think of the poor kid who guzzles down water from the fountain every day, for all twelve years of schooling.
Worse, “Some schools have plumbing connections with non-potable water sources that could permit coliform bacteria to enter the drinking water.” This means that school drinking water doesn’t just contain lead; it’s germy, too.
In middle and high school, I sensed -- as many students probably do -- that the water was nasty. It had an unusual greenish tinge and tasted slightly metallic. I didn’t know it contained lead and germs, too.
The lesson: bring bottled water.
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