In his proposed state budget, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has included $30 million to help schools remove lead from drinking water.
Testing since 2016 by the Department of Environmental Protection found lead in the water coming from 59 percent of the 43,000 taps tested at 980 schools.
Emma Dietz of Environment Massachusetts said, with the money recommended by Baker, schools can install filters or remove old plumbing that contains lead.
"This is a really pervasive threat that we are facing," said Dietz.
A coalition of environmental groups is also urging Massachusetts to adopt a 1 part-per-billion standard for lead in school drinking water, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The current limit is 15 parts-per-billion.
