New Jersey lawmakers are determined to make sure students can trust the drinking water at their schools.
In the wake of the high lead levels found in drinking water in Newark, New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy told CBS.com, "We will make New Jersey a model for the nation on how to approach this long-overlooked problem and ensure a better future for our state especially our most precious assets, our kids."
Murphy and 5th District Rep. Josh Gottheimer said they will introduce new procedures that will make certain all students have clean drinking water.
The first change will be the water testing protocol. Testing that previously happened once every six years will now be tested every three years, so unhealthy lead levels can be discovered more promptly. Another change will require the New Jersey Department of Education to post schools lead testing results on its website.
Much of the financing for the projects will come from $100 million voter-approved state funds. Districts with the highest lead levels will move to the front of the line for remediation projects.
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