Sen. Millett introduces bill to ensure all Maine schools have safe water

Sen. Rebecca Millett, D-Cape Elizabeth, has introduced a bill to ensure all schools have safe water.

Currently, Maine schools that get their water from wells must test for lead at least once every three years. However, there is no testing requirement for schools on public water systems. While the water may be safe for most users of that water supply, old plumbing in schools can leach lead and copper into otherwise clean water.

“All Maine children should be able to safely drink water at school without fear of elevated lead levels, which can impair brain development,” said Sen. Millett. “We know that no lead level is safe, especially for children during their developing years, and we should be checking that our schools’ water is ok for them to drink.”

Yarmouth Public Schools, which receives water from the Yarmouth Water District, recently discovered lead levels higher than the standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at some of the drinking fountains and faucets at Yarmouth Elementary School. The EPA level is set at 15 parts per billion, but the agency also says there is no safe level of lead exposure.

Sen. Millett’s bill would require schools with public water supplies built 10 or more years ago to follow the same testing requirements as those in place for schools supplied by well water.