EPA to Provide $26M in Grants to Protect School, Child Care Drinking Water

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced that it will award $26 million in grant funding to test and fix lead-contaminated water at U.S. schools and childcare centers, according to local news. The grants will come through the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program, and funds are eligible for all 50 U.S. states; Washington, D.C.; and four U.S. territories.

“Lead is a neurotoxin that can negatively impact American children,” said Lee Zeldin, EPA Administrator. “With $26 million in funding this year, more schools will be able to identify sources of lead in their water and take action so that our nation’s children can focus on learning, playing, and developing skills.”

The EPA has provided more than $200 million since 2018 toward reducing lead in drinking water. Other efforts include its “3Ts” program (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) to provide guidance to local and state officials in implementing voluntary lead reduction programs. According to local news, more than 20,000 childcare centers and 13,000 schools have participated in lead testing through the 3Ts program.

The grant program was established in 2016 through the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • AP Construction Breaks Ground on Two Projects for Austin ISD

    Adolfson & Peterson Construction (AP) recently announced that it has broken ground on two renovation projects for the Austin Independent School District, according to a news release. The work at McCallum and Anderson High Schools totals 97,350 square feet and is scheduled for completion in January 2027.

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • Armstrong World Industries Acquires Geometrik

    Armstrong World Industries, designer and manufacturer of interior and exterior architectural applications like ceilings, walls, and metal solutions, recently announced its acquisition of Canada-based Geometrik, according to a news release. The British Columbian Geometrik specializes in designing and manufacturing wood acoustical and wall systems.

  • University of West Florida Opens New Laboratory Facility

    The University of West Florida recently announced that renovation work is complete on a new lab building for its campus in Pensacola, Fla., according to university news. Building 80 will serve as the home to the university’s civil engineering program and the Tyler Chase Norwood Construction Management Program.

Digital Edition