An additional 33 public schools in Detroit have elevated levels of lead or copper in the drinking water — results that come less than a month after the district shut off water in all 106 school buildings.
The Detroit Free Press reports that to date, 57 out of 86 Detroit Public Schools Community District schools where test results have been completed this year have elevated levels of lead or copper. An additional 10 schools had been identified last year, and new results are pending for them.
Because of concerns about the safety of drinking water, the district started the school year Sept. 4 using bottled water and water coolers. Detroit Superintendent Nikolai Vitti has proposed spending $2 million to install water hydration stations in each school.
He has said the hydration stations are safer because they filter contaminants out of the drinking water.
"The hydration stations would be installed in all schools by the beginning of next school year districtwide and replace the need for water coolers," Vitti said in an email to staff.
Vitti's plan calls for a hydration station for every 100 students, in addition to one in each kitchen, faculty lounge and gym.
The hydration stations are being used elsewhere in the nation, including in Baltimore City Public Schools.
