Drinking Water in Detroit Schools Will Be Tested for Lead

Foundation funds heavy metal water testing in city schools.

Detroit has secured funding to test drinking water in the city’s schools for lead. 

Drinking water in all Detroit Public Schools will be tested for lead. Testing will also take place in charter schools and early childhood facilities in the city.  A $135,000 grant from the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation is funding the project.

Health Department director Dr. Abdul El-Sayed said he expects all schools to be tested within 3 months.

“This is part of the goal of just making sure that children have a safe and healthy environment in the places where we concentrate them for most of the day, most of the year,” El-Sayed said.

The Detroit Health Department is offering lead screenings for students 6 years old or younger, or for students who attend a school where high lead levels are found. 

Author

  • Sascha Raiyn
    Sascha Raiyn is Education Reporter at 101.9 WDET. She is a native Detroiter who grew up listening to news and music programming on Detroit Public Radio.