Drinking water tests in St. Louis Public Schools have found elevated levels of lead in 32 of the district’s 72 buildings. There were 45 of the nearly 800 water sources that exceeded the EPA’s guidelines and 43 others that exceeded the district’s own standards.
Attorney General Chris Koster/AG office
Some say aging buildings and pipes could be the culprit. Attorney General Chris Koster says under funding Missouri’s schools leads to delayed maintenance on things like pipes, faucets and fountains. He says some of the district pipes should’ve been replaced long ago.
Koster notes a recent state audit that says Missouri’s public buildings need $600 million in repairs and upgrades.
The district’s water sources containing high lead levels have been turned off and bottled water is being provided at 13 schools. The St. Louis Public School board approved Thursday $1 million to lower the lead levels in nearly half of its school buildings.
