Officials with the Detroit Public Schools Community District had already equipped some school buildings with water coolers…after recent testing revealed lead and copper in the drinking fountains and bathroom sinks.
Now District Superintendent Nikolai Vitti says he’s shut off the drinking water in all of Detroit’s more than 100 public schools.
“Statistically we’re looking at probably 60 to 70 with elevated levels once all the testing is done. And that was the rationale to discontinue the drinking water.”
Officials are still trying to determine if the problem stems from aged pipes or faucets in poor condition.
They say it will take several months to pinpoint the cause.