It looks like the permanent fix for the bad water situation in Detroit’s public schools will be provided by the business and philanthropic community, covering most of the $3 million dollar cost to install water hydration stations.
Water fountains were shut off at the beginning of the academic year at all Detroit public schools after finding unacceptable levels of lead and copper in the drinking water in many schools.
The plan covers the more than 100 schools in the Detroit Public Community School District. $2.4 million will be contributed by local businesses and foundations.
The United Way for Southeastern Michigan gave a lead gift of $500,000.
Other major donors include: Quicken Loans ($500,000), the Delta Dental Foundation ($300,000), DTE Energy Foundation ($300,000) General Motors ($200,000), Ford Motor Company Fund ($200,000), FCA Foundation ($100,000), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan/Blue Care Network ($100,000), Ascension Michigan ($50,000), the Detroit Medical Center ($50,000), Health Alliance Plan/Henry Ford Health System ($50,000), The Jewish Fund ($25,000) and an anonymous donor ($10,000).
The goal is to have one hydration station for every 100 students, and the stations will have filters so that there is, quoting Detroit Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, “zero lead, zero copper.”
The district says that similar hydration stations are being used in schools around the country, as well as locally in Royal Oak, Ann Arbor and Birmingham.
Installation should be finished by next summer.