The School District of Philadelphia recently installed 2,404 new water bottle filling stations across schools across the city, writes Kristen A. Graham for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The installations is part of a solution for a major health risk.
According to a 2022 analysis of district water sources conducted by PennEnvironment and various local nonprofits, 98 percent of the district water sources tested had some lead contamination.
That year, Philadelphia City Council passed a law giving the district three years to replace all its water fountains by June 1, 2025.
“It’s an important achievement for the school district,” said David Masur, executive director of PennEnvironment. “It’s really considered the gold standard in steps that can be taken to prevent the threat of lead contamination in school buildings.”
Monique Braxton, the School District’s spokesperson, said the expansion efforts are continuing through Germantown, West Philadelphia, and South Philadelphia field houses and locker rooms.
She added that despite some fountains remaining in schools, their water supplies have been shut off. Meanwhile, work orders have already been entered to have them removed.
Read more about Philly schools’ new water filling stations and other ways the city hopes to address its environmental challenges in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA Today in June 2025.
