The Associated Press has analyzed a decade of Environmental Protection Agency data and found that tests at thousands of American schools had shown the drinking water to be contaminated, with the water at some schools hitting unsafe levels in as many as 20 separate inspections. As part of the investigation, the AP provided an interactive map with which you can search and sort violations in your area. Although some children have become sick and some schools have resorted to bottled water, the AP found that the contaminants are generally not present in levels that would harm adults.
(Hat tip to Poynter’s Al Tompkins)
Related
- Leah Beth Ward of the Yakima Herald-Republic explains how she reported the “Hidden wells, dirty water” series.
- Greg Barnes of the Fayetteville Observer gives a behind-the-scenes look at the award-winning “What lies beneath” series that revealed contaminated drinking water in the Fayetteville area.
- NYT investigates Clean Water Act violations
- Herbicide levels high in many water supplies
- NYT’s Toxic Waters series takes on ag polluters
- Abandoned mercury mines taint water, fish
