Glatt, do you drink the water?

[Lamplighter]

I get program kids with high lead levels all the time.
Its one of those problems that cities kick down the road only to end up
burdening their school systems with, not to mention ruining outcomes for kids...

Do filters actually remove lead?

Most of the problem for little kids is the old lead-based paints in old housing,
and the sweet taste of old window putty that has a high lead content.

In olden times (eastern cities) the water pipe solders had a high lead content,
so as Glatt says, the cities can replace the large distribution pipes in the streets,
but getting to connectors between the streets and (older) houses is a $ problem.

I wouldn't expect the usual sorts of filters to do much for lead,
because it is in solution as opposed to particles.

Prevention of access to paint chips and putty is the most
efficient means of protecting little kids.

I think I would disagree with the idea that cities are ignoring the problem.
If the parents have access to WIC programs, the kids are probably being monitored (for anemia).

Although there is no "safe" level for lead in children, there also has to be
a balance between resources and outcomes.
So when you hear of SNAP budgets being cut, there are all sorts of consequences.