State of Georgia estimates high lead levels in hundreds of Georgia public schools
Bipartisan bill includes largest-ever investment in clean water
Washington, D.C. –– U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s provision to repair and remove lead water pipes from public schools in Georgia and across the country passed as part of the Senate’s bipartisan infrastructure bill.
The bipartisan bill includes over $55 billion for clean water, including to replace lead pipes and lines, the largest-ever investment in clean drinking water.
“Every child deserves clean, healthy drinking water at school, and every family deserves clean water in their home,” said Sen. Ossoff. “This is a huge win for Georgia and a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together.”
In April, Sen. Ossoff called on the Senate to pass historic funding to ensure public schools had clean drinking water, pointing to how Georgia, along with 22 other states, received an “F” in a non-profit “Get the Lead Out” study that looked at protecting students from lead in drinking water.
Following his push, the Senate included his provision in the larger Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act, which was folded into the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Currently, Georgia’s State Board of Education is testing 800 schools for lead in drinking water, and preliminary estimates suggest high levels of lead in hundreds of Georgia school faucets.
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