A bill requiring California schools to offer free water in their cafeterias is expected to become law when it is signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, reports the Los Angeles Times. The legislation introduced by State Sen. Mark Leno was sponsored by Schwarzenegger. It requires schools to make fresh drinking water available at no charge in the cafeteria during lunchtime by next July.
Schools could comply by simply having pitchers of water with cups on the cafeteria tables. An online survey conducted by the California Food Policy Advocates organization reported that 40 percent of the state's districts do not offer free drinking water in their dining areas.