California schools reach deadline for lead testing

The California Water Board revealed nearly 1,700 schools failed to report their testing of lead in drinking water. Monday, July 1 was the deadline for schools to complete the testing per Assembly Bill 746.

According to new database, created by the California Public Interest Group (CALPIRG), a few Central Coast Schools did not meet the deadline. “That should be a first priority for the kids and the teachers,”saidSalinas grandparent, JuliaCurenio.

CALPIRG is a part of the movement that created Assembly Bill 746. In 2017, the bill made it a requirement forCalifornia schools, built beforeJanuary 2010, to test for lead in their water. Those test results are made public through CALPIRG’s online map. “One of the most basic things we can provide for kids is safe drinking water. We want to make sure whenever and wherever we are finding lead, the community comes together to address it and not ignore it,”said CALPIRG executive director, Emily Rusch.

Parents are able to search their child’s school to learn about existing lead levels and find out if testing has been done.

According to the database, Alisal, Soledad, and Gonzales are just a few of the districts that have yet to complete their testing. Rusch added that parents shouldn’t panic if this is the case at their child’s school. “There is a lag time between when they actually do the testing and when it is publicly reported. There’s definitely information that we don’t know yet,”said Rusch.

Alisal Union School District interim superintendent, Jim Koenig, said they completed their testing back in February 2018. “We will continue to ensure that the water that is provided to students at our schools is completely safe to drink,” said Koenig.

CALPIRG officials said contacting your child’s school directly is the best way to find out if their water is safe.