Water Contamination in U.S. Schools and the Case for Filters

In case you haven’t noticed, more students are bringing water bottles to school nowadays—not just to stay extra hydrated but also to safeguard against a major health hazard in many of our nation’s schools: contaminated drinking water.

In recent years, countless U.S. public schools have been plagued with numerous water quality issues. And with no national requirement for specific water testing in these institutions (and few reporting their findings when voluntary tests are conducted), there’s no telling what kids are ingesting every time they drink from a water fountain or faucet on campus.

The good news is that states like Michigan are taking bold steps to address these contamination events head-on to ensure every child can access safe, clean drinking water at school. Keep reading to learn more.

Michigan’s “Filter First” Law for Schools: A Brief Overview

Okay, so we know there’s a water contamination problem in many U.S. schools. But what’s being done to prevent it? Well, Michigan officials had an idea: filter the water first so it’s safer for students to drink. That’s the basic idea behind their landmark “Filter First” law, which experts believe will help schools address contaminants like lead in water “more quickly, effectively, and cheaply,” according to Education Week.

Here’s everything you need to know about this first-of-its-kind legislation:

The Rules

Under the “Filter First” law, all K-12 schools and childcare centers in Michigan must install certified water filters at water outlets designated for drinking and cooking. These filters must meet NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 standards for reducing particulates and lead.

Schools can also install faucet-mounted filters and filters for drinking fountains or bottle-filling stations. All filter types must have a replacement status indicator, such as a light, to monitor when the filter needs changing. The law also requires schools to have one bottle-filling station for every 100 students.

Whichever filters are installed, schools must maintain them per manufacturers’ recommendations and conduct regular water quality tests to spot potential issues quickly. They must also keep logs of maintenance and testing procedures and share information about their water quality and actions to keep it safe.

Recognizing that these changes may be costly for some schools, the law directs $50 million to help schools comply with the new requirements.

Why It Matters

For one, Michigan is the first state to take such bold actions to address poor water quality issues in schools. Then there’s its proactive approach: instead of waiting for kids to be exposed to toxic substances in the school’s drinking water and scrambling to address it, the “Filter First” law tries to prevent potential water contamination issues before they start. Also, including all public schools and childcare centers ensures all kids are protected, not just some.

This legislation also comes when many parents are concerned about the water quality at school. A recent NSF study found that 79% of parents across the U.S. “insist on only giving their children filtered water that is certified safe and effective.” Some even consider unfiltered water less healthy for their kids than soda.

While the law is still pretty new, people are excited about its potential impact. It’s removing many roadblocks that kept schools from addressing water quality by giving schools a clear plan and funding to make it happen.

Learn more: New Law Requires Lead Water Filters in Michigan Schools, Daycares

Behind the Water Contamination Problem in U.S. Schools

Water quality issues in schools have long been a pressing issue for a few reasons.

Aging Infrastructure

Many U.S. schools are housed in old buildings with aging plumbing fixtures, fittings, pipes, and solders that may contain lead. Over time, these components can corrode and leach harmful metals and other substances into the water supplied to school water fountains, faucets, and other outlets.

The Testing Gap

Perhaps more alarming is the need for consistent monitoring. Per EPA estimates, 100,000 schools and 500,000 childcare facilities rely on a public water source. Yet, these institutions are not subject to the Safe Drinking Water Act’s regular testing requirements.

As of 2021, only 18 states required mandatory lead testing in school drinking water. This means that water quality from fountains and faucets remains a mystery in many schools nationwide.

While lead is a significant problem, it’s not the only contaminant of concern; schools have also found everything from bacteria and pathogens to heavy metals, chemicals, and even microplastics in their water supplies.

The Inequality of Clean Water

It’s also important to note that these water quality issues don’t affect all communities equally. Underfunded schools and those in rural areas often struggle more with these problems. The consequences can be severe: poor water quality can lead to cognitive issues like developmental delays and learning disabilities, along with various physical health problems.

The Importance of Clean Drinking Water for Children

Clean drinking water is essential for everyone but is particularly crucial for children—and we’ll explain why.

Increased sensitivity to contaminants. Children drink more water per pound of body weight than adults, increasing their exposure and risk to toxic waterborne pollutants. Also, their bodies are still growing, so toxic chemicals may cause more harm to developing organs and tissues.
Time spent at school. Kids spend many of their waking hours at school, so they must access clean, potable water to keep them healthily hydrated and perform better in the classroom. Sure, students today have many activities to achieve this, but their hydration needs—especially during school hours—are often overlooked.
Keeps children hydrated. Staying hydrated is especially important for children, as it helps keep them focused and energized, maintain their body temperature, and make bodily fluids for daily functioning. Children who drink enough water also demonstrate enhanced cognitive abilities and mental clarity, which can ultimately better their academic performance and intellectual potential.
Wards off waterborne infections. Clean drinking water at school does more than quench children’s thirst. It also protects against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and other nasties in microbe-infested drinking water. Kids’ immune systems still need time to develop, so drinking unclean water makes them more susceptible to life-threatening illnesses and diseases like diarrhea, the second leading cause of death in children under five globally.
Helps prevent lead poisoning. Children exposed to lead in drinking water are at a higher risk of lead poisoning, a condition linked to other health problems in kids, including brain and kidney damage, anemia, stunted growth, and learning disabilities, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Learn more: How to Protect Children from Toxic Contaminants in Water | How to Protect Your Family from Lead in Tap Water

Sources of Water Contamination in Schools

As many U.S. schools continue to grapple with water contamination issues, it’s natural to wonder how the water gets contaminated in the first place. It can happen through various means, often invisible to the naked eye.

One of the most common culprits is aging infrastructure. As mentioned earlier, many schools, especially older ones, still have plumbing systems with lead pipes, solder, faucets, internal plumbing, or other components. As these materials corrode over time, they can leach harmful contaminants into the water supply.

There’s also the issue of school schedules. During long breaks or holidays, water can sit stagnant in pipes for extended periods. This creates an ideal environment for contaminants to accumulate and bacteria to flourish. When students and staff return, they may unknowingly consume this tainted water.

Unfortunately, schools could face several unexpected challenges even if water systems are well maintained. Construction work on school grounds or nearby can disturb pipes and contaminate the water supply. Furthermore, natural disasters like floods can overwhelm water treatment facilities, allowing many pollutants to enter the water supply.

Learn more: The 4 Most Common Ways Our Water is Being Polluted and How You Can Tackle the Dangerous Effects

The Potential Benefits of Drinking Water Filters in Schools

Drinking water filters are devices designed to remove impurities and contaminants from water to improve its quality and safety for consumption. Some common types of water filters include activated carbon filters, reverse osmosis systems, UV filters, and sediment filters.

Installing one or more of these water filters in schools could yield several fantastic benefits:

Improved Water Safety: Water filters can effectively remove harmful contaminants like lead, which is especially concerning in schools with aging infrastructure. Filters certified to NSF/ANSI standards 53 and 42 can effectively reduce lead and other contaminants, protecting staff and students from various waterborne health conditions and reducing risk factors like cancer.
Increased Water Consumption: Filtered water tastes and smells better, encouraging students to drink more. In one study, 15.1% of students consumed water from fountain components of updated bottle filler/fountain combination units, compared to only 0.4% from traditional water fountains.
Reduced Plastic Waste: Filtered water stations lessen the use of single-use plastic bottles in schools, thus reducing plastic waste that could otherwise overflow landfills and recycling centers, collect in water bodies, and threaten marine life.
Cost Savings: While there are upfront costs, filtered water systems in schools are more cost-effective in the long term than purchasing bottled water. Tap water costs about $0.002 per gallon, while bottled water can cost up to $10 per gallon.
Peace of Mind: For parents, students, and staff alike, knowing that the water is filtered provides reassurance and confidence in the school’s commitment to health and safety.

Related: 9 Health Benefits You Didn’t Know Filtered Water Provides | How Water Filters Benefit the Environment

Final Thoughts

The drinking water situation in many of our schools isn’t great. From aging infrastructure to inconsistent testing practices, the problems are complex and far-reaching. However, implementing drinking water filters offers a promising solution, as they provide immediate protection against a range of contaminants and may encourage students to drink more, supporting better hydration and, consequently, improved health and cognitive function.

Clean, safe drinking water is crucial for your child’s health and well-being. That’s why initiatives like Michigan’s “Filter First” law are so important. We hope other states will follow suit. But in the meantime, parents can take steps to ensure their kids have access to clean drinking water throughout the day. Consider providing your child with a reusable water bottle filled with filtered water from home. You only need a bottle and a Springwell undercounter water filtration system, which removes heavy metals such as lead, fluoride, arsenic, and chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, etc.

Invest in your child’s well-being and learning today, and browse our premium drinking water systems.