PILSEN — Pilsen families can get free water filters Saturday as a neighborhood environmental group puts its grant money to good use.
The Pilsen Environmental Rights and Reform Organization will distribute the water filters and offer demonstrations on how to install them. The Pilsen Clean Water Expo will also feature chlorine test demonstrations and signups for water quality tests.
The event will be from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at St. Pius V Parish, 1919 S. Ashland Ave.
The organization is looking for volunteers, particularly those who speak Spanish, to help with the activities. Those interested can meet around 9 a.m. at the church.
Nearly half of Chicago's parks have elevated levels of lead in water — including one drinking fountain in Grant Park with 80 times the acceptable amount of lead — as do at least 100 Chicago Public Schools.
The government is especially concerned with children drinking lead-tainted water, as they're more susceptible to its effects. Amounts of lead that won't hurt adults can hinder mental and physical development in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
While no level of lead is totally safe when found in drinking water, experts say hand-washing or other contact exposure is not harmful.
