… Many school buildings have aging infrastructure that is more likely to leach lead into the water. And children are the most vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead poisoning. But despite an increased awareness of the danger posed by lead in water, there is no national mandate that requires testing drinking water in schools and child-care facilities. As of 2021, a report found that only 18 states and the District of Columbia had some kind of requirement for school testing. Lead is one of the most common and best-known contaminants found in drinking water, particularly in cities where pipes made of the substance were not widely phased out until a 1986 ban. While some cities have embarked on massive programs to replace lead pipes that connect to homes and businesses, there has been less attention on schools.