Detroit Schools Shut Down Water Fountains For Water Coolers

Detroit is working to rectify issues with water contamination by replacing school drinking fountains with water coolers. 

Fifty thousand students made the switch for their first day of school Tuesday. 

Thirty-four of Detroit's public schools found elevated levels of lead or copper in their drinking water, prompting school officials to shut off water across all 106 school buildings. 

The city is probably trying to avoid a situation similar to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. A failure to properly treat the water there led to mass lead contamination. 

The switch will cost over $200,000 over two months. The school district is examining ways to offset the expense. 

Additional reporting by Newsy affiliate CNN.