The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the allocation of $352,000 in grants to Louisiana aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities. This funding is part of a broader initiative encompassing 55 states and territories, as well as the District of Columbia, to mitigate lead risks where children learn and play. The effort aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
Lead exposure poses significant health risks, particularly for children, affecting mental and physical development and causing irreversible brain damage. In adults, it can lead to increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer.
The grants are authorized under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act. Since 2019, over $150 million has been provided through the Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant to address lead contamination in drinking water across U.S. educational institutions.
Recipients of these grants are required to follow the 3Ts – Training, Testing, and Taking Action – which offer resources for states, territories, and Tribes to reduce lead levels in early care settings effectively.
Additionally, EPA's Get the Lead Out (GLO) initiative supports underserved communities by providing technical assistance to identify and replace lead service lines. Communities can request support through EPA’s WaterTA website.
This announcement follows significant funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which allocated $15 billion for removing lead from drinking water systems. This funding aims to enhance federal, state, and local efforts in delivering clean drinking water by replacing lead pipes and remediating lead paint in places frequently occupied by children such as schools and childcare centers.
For further information or updates from the EPA Region 6 office, individuals are encouraged to connect via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter), or visit their homepage.
