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A Student Asked Why Her School's Water Is 'Gross.' We Got Answers.
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A Student Asked Why Her School's Water Is 'Gross.' We Got Answers.
A while back, a KPCC reporter got this letter from a fourth grader at an L.A. Unified school.
"My school doesn't have any clean water," fourth-grader Kajsa Darr of Clifford Elementary School in Echo Park wrote. "That makes me very concerned. That water tastes horrible."
Potentially unclean drinking water at a school piqued our interest -- so we looked into it. And yes, the water at Clifford is just a little yellow, and a little cloudy, too. But the good news is tests conducted by LAUSD and the L.A. Department of Water and Power found that the water is safe.
To be more specific, DWP concluded the yellowish tinge was from iron rust in the water — and it's harmless. Probably a byproduct of nearby construction. But after maybe 10 or 15 seconds, they found the water from the school's drinking fountain runs clear. So the solution the district suggested? Just run the water for a few seconds before drinking.
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Read more about Kajsa's letter and the response at LAist.com.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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