CPS Officials Downplay Lead Levels Found In School Water Fountains

CPS Officials Downplay Lead Levels Found In School Water Fountains

WBEZ brings you fact-based news and information. Sign up for our newsletters to stay up to date on the stories that matter.

Chicago Public Schools tested hundreds of water fountains and incorrectly claimed all lead levels were near EPA standards. 

Of 258 schools tested, 99 had at least one sink or water fountain above the EPA lead limit. Half of those sinks or fountains were double the limit, and 20 had more than seven times the limit.

District officials say they have turned off problematic sinks and faucets. They say they are in the process of fixing them.