LANSING (WKZO-AM) — Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, is co-sponsoring bills that would allow only safe-to-drink water to come out of faucets and drinking fountains at Michigan schools.
She said Michigan has a lot of older school buildings with older plumbing.
“Their brains are developing,” Schuitmaker said. “That’s where there’s the greatest risk for lead in the water.”
She said the state will pick up the tab for the testing, but collecting the water will be the job of local utility employees. Tests would be required annually.
She believes the three-bill package will be approved in the House and Senate and signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.
“I definitely think so,” Schuitmaker said. “Certainly, Flint has highlighted the need to make sure that we have safe drinking water, especially when it comes to our school children.”
Schuitmaker is co-sponsoring the legislation with Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.
– John McNeill
