ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Sen. Charles Schumer has announced legislation that would give funding to New York schools for lead testing.
The legislation would allow schools use of $100 million in federal grants under the Environmental Protection Agency to test their water supplies. It's similar to a bill that passed in 1988 but didn't move forward because of drafting errors.
Water samples cost an average of $35 each and each test needs multiple samples to send to the EPA.
This legislation comes after two elementary schools in Ithaca found dangerous amounts of lead in their water. Schumer says children under 6 face the most risk from lead, including learning and developmental disorders.
Schumer says Wednesday he expects bipartisan support. If the bill passes, money would be available to schools on October 1.