To the editor,

The EPA’s new deadline for replacing lead pipes is a significant step for public health. Lead service lines are the single largest source of lead in water in the homes that have them. However, there is one glaring omission in the new Lead and Copper Rule: it does little to ensure safe drinking water for our kids at school.

Lead is highly toxic to children even at low levels, with links to IQ point losses, learning disabilities such as ADHD, antisocial behaviors, and depression. Yet lead contaminated drinking water is widespread in Wisconsin schools. In Wisconsin, where children’s blood lead levels are already more than double the national average, further lead exposure from school drinking water can be especially harmful.

We know how to solve this problem. We need to replace lead-bearing fountains with lead-filtering water stations, and put filters on all other taps used for cooking and drinking at school. Milwaukee schools have already taken this step, but water at most other Wisconsin schools is still at risk. Yet neither EPA nor current state law requires anything like that. That’s why we gave Wisconsin an F in our national assessment of school water policies.

So kudos to EPA on heeding our call to replace lead pipes. Now we need Madison to get the lead out of water at school.

Nicholas Barber

Clean Water Associate, Wisconsin Environment

Milwaukee