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Posted: 09/16/10 Written by: Pam Batra

What do schools need to give kids the competitive advantage? Computers! Metal detectors! Certainly not water softeners!  What about water filters? 

On the front pages and in the hallowed halls of our state and federal buildings, the debate rages on about the quality of education in this country, the focus shifting from disagreements about budget management to evaluating and recognizing the performance of teachers and administrators.  On that rare occasion that a celebrity gets involved, the issue of school nutrition may get a headline or two but overall, little attention is paid to the day to day life of a schoolchild and their most basic necessities, healthy food and clean drinking water.

In light of a recent survey in California that found 40 percent of the responding schools did not provide free drinking water, California State Senator Mark Leno has introduced a bill that would require schools to provide water for students where they eat lunch.  After it is signed by the governor, as expected, the bill will take effect in January 2011 and California school districts will have until July of next year to comply.  Since the bill does not provide for any additional funding, school districts can opt out if they don’t have enough money to comply.  However, Senator Leno’s research has found that water provision can be done at very little cost.  For instance, the Los Angeles Unified School District spends about $ 1.20 per student per year for the provision of free drinking water.  That includes commercial water filters, dispensers, cups and lead tests….pretty good deal considering the benefits of proper hydration on health, weight and overall performance.

Seems to me that eco-friendly water filters and clean, healthy drinking water for all kids in school is a no-brainer. LifeSource is ready to partner with school districts, government institutions and private corporations to make sure that California schools are in compliance with this important legislation.  Stay tuned as we monitor this bill and the ensuing process of compliance.

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