Students in Detroit public schools are scheduled to start class next week, but when they return, there will be no water. According to the New York Times, Superintendent Nikolai P. Vitti announced that the water fountains will be dry due to elevated levels of lead and/or copper.
Water tests done by the school district have reportedly found elevated levels of lead or copper in dozens of schools since 2016. “Now that we’re seeing these higher levels of lead and copper, there’s no need to roll the dice,” Vitti said.
The results of the most recent water test will reportedly take more than a month to return, so Dr. Vitti decided not to take any chances.
In a statement, Detroit Water and Sewerage Department and the Great Lakes Water Authority said that “aging school infrastructure” could be the source of the problem. In the meanwhile, students will still be allowed to wash their hands and flush the toilets, but drinking water will come from water bottles.
