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California School Water Safety: Unsafe Water, Unmet Action
In 2019, the State Water Resources Control Board tested drinking water for lead at all California schools built before 2010.
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A total of 7,066 schools were tested against an action level of 15 micrograms per liter (µg/L)— the threshold requiring corrective measures such as replacing filters or other interventions. Below are the reported results, including school names, locations, and detected lead levels in water fountains.
While most schools recorded lead levels below the action threshold, schools in cities like San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, and San Bernardino reached average lead levels as high as 190 µg/L. All four cities implemented corrective actions, but more than 40 schools — 12% of those exceeding the threshold of 15 µg/L — did not.
Those cities can be explored below:
Fourty-one schools in California reported lead levels significantly exceeding the action threshold of 15 µg/L, yet no corrective measures have been taken to ensure drinking water is safe. This means students and staff at these schools may still be exposed to unsafe lead levels, posing potential health risks.
Explore the affected schools below:
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