Oakland Teens Push School District To Act On Lead In Drinking Water

Project Nemo, a campaign led by four Oakland High School seniors, demands lead-free drinking water in schools, citing serious health risks associated with lead contamination. The students argue that the Oakland Unified School District's (OUSD) current lead threshold of 5 parts per billion is unsafe, echoing concerns from health experts. Their grassroots initiative, which includes public testimony and coalition-building, aims for immediate infrastructure improvements and accountability from district leaders. Testing in OUSD revealed elevated lead levels in numerous fixtures, leading to a plan for inline filters, although experts advocate for point-of-use filters for effective protection. Similar issues plague schools in San Francisco, where students at Bret Harte and Carver have been using bottled water due to lead levels reaching 150 ppb.

Parents and advocates in these neighborhoods express skepticism about the district's commitment to health, especially compared to wealthier areas. A 2022 Duke University study links racial segregation and lead exposure to educational inequity. As students push for clean water, they emphasize that their fight is intertwined with racial justice and transparency in governance.