Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in California Schools: Addressing the Lead Crisis

Lead Contamination in California Schools: A Growing Concern

Lead contamination in drinking water poses a significant health risk to students in California schools. Exposure to lead can cause cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, and other long-term health problems, making it especially dangerous for young students.

According to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), from 2018 to 2019, public K–12 schools built before 2010 were required to test their drinking water for lead. The CDPH's  lead sampling program revealed that numerous schools exceeded state and federal limits for lead contamination.

The primary source of lead contamination in schools is outdated plumbing infrastructure, particularly old lead service lines and fixtures that leach lead into drinking water. Without proper intervention, children in these schools remain at risk of lead exposure every time they take a sip from or fill their water bottles. You can explore an interactive map of affected schools here: Lead Sampling in California Schools.

State Initiatives and Available Resources

Recognizing the urgency of this issue, California has launched several initiatives to combat lead contamination in schools. Proposition 2, approved by voters in November 2024, provides $10 billion in funding for K–12 public schools and community colleges, with a portion dedicated to improving health and safety conditions, including addressing lead contamination. More details on this initiative can be found here: Proposition 2 Analysis.

Another key effort is the Drinking Water for Schools Grant Program, which offers financial assistance to schools struggling with lead exceedances. Schools that qualify can receive grants to install water treatment devices or replace contaminated pipes. More information on lead sampling and grant opportunities can be found on the California Department of Public Health’s website: CDPH Lead Sampling Program.

Haws® Reliable Solutions for Schools

While full plumbing replacement is an option, Haws Corporation offers a faster, more cost-effective, and hassle-free solution to ensure safe drinking water in schools. Our products are designed to seamlessly integrate into existing infrastructure, making implementation quick and easy without requiring major renovations or costly plumbing overhauls.

For schools looking for an immediate and budget-friendly way to reduce lead contamination, Universal Filter Kits – Model 6480 & 6477 offer a seamless upgrade to existing drinking fountains.

  • Universal Filter Kit – Model 6480 & 6477: Model 6480 is designed to fit any indoor or outdoor drinking fountains and Model 6477 is designed to fit our 3600 series outdoor fountains. This filter effectively reduces lead, chlorine, and other contaminants, ensuring cleaner, safer drinking water for students.
  • NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 Certified: Independently tested and certified for chlorine taste and odor reduction (NSF 42) and lead reduction (NSF 53), meeting stringent water safety standards.
  • Easy Installation & Maintenance: The filter retrofits onto existing fountains, providing an efficient solution without requiring major infrastructure changes. With a 3,000-gallon capacity and an easy quarter-turn replacement design, it ensures minimal maintenance and maximum convenience.

For schools looking for a permanent upgrade to outdated drinking fountains, Haws RIVIVEâ„¢, EWC Hydration Stationâ„¢ and Outdoor Bottle Filler & Drinking Fountain offer modern looking, hands-free hydration with NSF-certified lead reduction. These ADA-compliant, space-saving stations provide a sustainable solution for high-traffic areas while ensuring lead-free drinking water.

  • RIVIVEâ„¢: A sleek, touchless bottle-filling station featuring field-configurable filtration—perfect for schools seeking a hygienic, vandal-resistant, and sustainable hydration solution.
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  • EWC Hydration Stationâ„¢: Available as a standalone bottle filler or paired with a drinking fountain, this system features Eco-Smart technology, a 24-hour purge, quick installation and maintenance, and is designed for seamless replacement of existing fountains.
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  • Outdoor Bottle Filler & Drinking Fountain: Designed for durability in outdoor school settings, this unit provides both bottle-filling and traditional drinking fountain access with lead-reducing filtration, making clean water easily accessible for students.
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Upgrade to Haws drinking fountains and bottle fillers for clean, accessible, and lead-free water that keeps students safe and hydrated.

Take Action: How Parents and Educators Can Help Ensure Safe Drinking Water in Schools

Ensuring safe drinking water in schools requires action from parents, educators, and administrators. If a school has not addressed lead contamination, now is the time to push for change.

Advocate for Safer Water: Parents and educators can urge school districts to prioritize lead remediation by attending meetings and sharing funding opportunities.

Secure Funding: Schools can apply for financial assistance to upgrade water systems.

Implement Immediate Solutions: Schools can act now with Haws Hydration solutions!

  • Universal Filter Kits: Easily installed on existing fountains for fast lead reduction.
  • Filtered Drinking Fountains & Bottle Fillers: Modern, filtered solutions for long-term water safety.

With available funding and practical solutions, schools can take immediate steps to ensure safe drinking water.

A Safer Future for Students

Lead contamination in California schools poses a serious health risk, but the good news is that solutions are readily available. With dedicated state funding and reliable filtration technology, schools can take immediate action to provide safe drinking water for students. Addressing this issue does not have to be overwhelming or costly—Haws retrofit filters and hydration solutions offer efficient, cost-effective options that schools can implement without major infrastructure overhauls.

Ensuring clean water for students requires collective action. Parents and educators play a crucial role in advocating for safer school environments. By urging school officials to prioritize lead remediation, applying for available grants, and supporting the adoption of filtration solutions, communities can drive meaningful change.

Every student deserves access to clean, lead-free drinking water. Together, we can protect their health, enhance their learning environment, and build a safer future for California’s schools.

Good – Better – Best! Achieve ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 Compliance with Haws®

Maintaining a safe workplace is a critical responsibility for any facility, especially when it comes to emergency response equipment. Ensuring that emergency showers and eye/face wash stations function properly and meet ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 compliance standards is not just about regulatory adherence, it is about protecting employees in the event of an emergency.

Haws offers services that help facilities meet the current ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 Standard. Our Good, Better, Best options allow facilities to choose the level of support that best fits their needs. Whether you require training, assessments, or full-service maintenance, Haws has the expertise to help you maintain a safe and compliant work environment.

GOOD: Online Training – Educate your Team on Compliance Best Practices

The first step in achieving compliance is understanding the regulations and best practices. Our Online Training program is designed to educate your team on the critical aspects of ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 compliance and proper equipment maintenance. Many compliance issues arise from a lack of knowledge regarding ANSI testing requirements and lead to having non-compliant products.

Haws expert-led training provides your employees with the information they’ll need to perform proper inspections and identify compliance issues. This training ensures that staff members are equipped with the knowledge to recognize potential hazards, conduct regular testing, and maintain emergency showers and eye/face wash stations effectively.

BETTER: FREE Emergency Equipment Site Survey – Identify and Address Compliance Gaps

Did you know 88% of units surveyed do not meet the current standard? As the industry leader, Haws can help bring awareness to the hidden dangers of inadequate emergency response by providing your facility with the opportunity to receive a complimentary no-cost emergency shower and eye/face wash survey. This service allows a Haws expert to conduct an in-depth evaluation of emergency showers and eye/face wash stations, identifying potential compliance gaps and performance issues.

This service includes a detailed inspection report for each unit, regardless of brand or model, along with a troubleshooting guide to address potential issues. Facilities will also receive an executive summary chart highlighting key findings, along with expert recommendations outlining root causes and corrective actions. A debriefing meeting or web conference is provided to review results, discuss best practices, and explore solutions for any deficiencies. This complimentary service includes up to a full day of inspections, with certain restrictions, allowing organizations to proactively identify risks and maintain compliance. With Haws’ expertise, businesses can ensure their emergency equipment is fully operational and ready when it matters most.

BEST: Haws® Services– Comprehensive Maintenance and Compliance Assurance

Haws Services provides a full-service approach to emergency equipment compliance and maintenance. Our certified technical experts conduct thorough inspections, perform necessary service, and ensure that all emergency showers and eye/face wash stations meet ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standards. Our technicians service all brands of emergency response equipment, ensuring consistent compliance and functionality.

Studies indicate that approximately 88% of emergency showers and eye wash stations are non-compliant, with 78% of these deficiencies stemming from performance-related issues. Many facility and safety professionals are unaware of the specific ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 testing requirements, leading to improperly maintained equipment that may fail in critical situations. Haws Services provides ongoing assurance that emergency showers and eye wash stations are tested on a weekly and annual basis, as required by ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 standards. By entrusting these responsibilities to our experts, facilities can alleviate the burden on their internal maintenance teams, allowing them to focus on daily operations without compromising safety and compliance.

Choose the Best Fit for Your Facility

Haws is committed to providing the right level of support to ensure safety and compliance. Whether your team needs training to handle inspections internally, a professional assessment to identify compliance gaps, or a full-service maintenance solution, Haws has the expertise and resources to help. By taking advantage of our services, facilities can select the service level that aligns with their current needs while maintaining flexibility for future improvements. Investing in compliance today ensures a safer work environment, reduces liability, and guarantees that emergency response equipment functions correctly at the most important times.

For more information on Haws Services or to schedule a free site survey, visit our Haws Services page or contact us directly. Let us help you achieve and maintain ANSI/ISEA Z358.1-2014 compliance with confidence.

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