From Carly Cohen, 

Environment Wisconsin

Madison

To the Editor:

I appreciated the Monroe Times coverage of the importance of keeping our kids safe on the roads as they head back to school (“Wisconsin State Patrol reminds drivers to keep kids safe as they head back to school”).

Unfortunately, dangerous driving isn’t the only risk to our children’s safety as they head back to school this fall. Lead contamination in school drinking water is widespread, posing serious health risks to our children.

Fortunately, the Biden-Harris administration is nearing a critical decision on whether to strengthen the Lead and Copper Rule, which governs the amount of lead allowed in drinking water. Currently, this rule permits up to 10 percent of water samples to exceed 15 parts per billion of lead. However, no level of lead in drinking water is considered safe for children.

We must urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Biden Administration to adopt a more stringent Lead and Copper Rule to safeguard our children’s health and ensure they have access to safe drinking water.