Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced $26 million in funding to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across the United States. Of this amount, $418,000 is allocated for Connecticut. This initiative supports the Biden-Harris Administration's Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.
"Every person, every child, deserves safe and clean drinking water. As students, staff, and teachers start returning to classrooms across New England, no one should have to worry whether the water their loved one drinks at school or daycare is safe," said EPA Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "This funding for testing water taps at schools and childcare facilities will help ensure that every child in Connecticut can learn and grow in an environment free from the dangers of lead exposure."
"This $418,000 in federal funding will enhance school district and childcare facility safety by expanding access to testing of drinking water for treacherous, toxic lead," stated U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal.
"Lead exposure isn't safe for anyone, but it's especially dangerous for kids," said U.S. Senator Chris Murphy.
U.S. Representative John Larson remarked on the administration's historic steps: "Today's funding announcement builds on this progress and will allow us to test for and address lead in water at schools and childcare facilities across the state."
"Exposure to lead has devastating developmental and physical impacts on our children," commented U.S. Representative Joe Courtney.
"Lead poisoning is detrimental to child development, and can lead to negative health outcomes that can last a lifetime," added U.S. Representative Jahana Hayes.
In children, lead exposure can severely harm mental and physical development, while adults may face increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function, and cancer.
The funding comes under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act as grants provided to states, territories, including Washington D.C., since 2019 through the Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing Reduction Grant Program which has awarded over $150 million so far.
Recipients are required to use the 3Ts – Training, Testing, Taking Action – framework for reducing lead in drinking water with resources available through EPA's programs such as Get the Lead Out (GLO) initiative which aids underserved communities with technical assistance necessary for identifying and removing lead service lines.
Background
The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law dedicates an unprecedented $15 billion towards removing lead from drinking water by leveraging multiple government tools aimed at ensuring clean drinking water where children spend significant time such as educational institutions.
