3Ts for Child Care Facilities
A TRAINING, TESTING, TAKING ACTION Approach
What are the 3Ts?
The 3Ts toolkit can help schools and child care facilities implement a voluntary
program for reducing lead in drinking water. It includes a training, testing, and taking action approach
Training childcare facility officials to raise awareness of the potential occurrences, causes, and health
effects of lead in drinking water and develop program plans.
Testing drinking water in childcare facilities to identify potential problems.
Taking Action to reduce lead in drinking water.
Utilizing the 3T toolkit along with clear communication will help ensure a successful 3Ts Program.
Communication Plan
Telling parents and staff about your 3Ts program will demonstrate your commitment to
protecting children and staff health. Communicating early and often about your testing plans,
results, and next steps will build confidence in your facility's ability to provide a safe environment.
Why is it important to test for lead?
Infants and young children are especially susceptible to lead exposure. Water can be a significant source of
lead exposure. Lead can enter your drinking water through plumbing materials that contain lead.
There is no known safe level of lead. Negative health effects include;
•	Behavior and learning problems
•	Lower IQ and hyperactivity
•	Slowed growth
•	Hearing problems
•	Anemia
<>EPA
* OFFICE OF GROUND WATER
AND DRINKING WATER
Office of Water
EPA 815-F-18-004
October 2018

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How do we get started?
You cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water; testing is the only sure way to tell if there are elevated levels of lead
in your drinking water. The first and most important step to begin a testing program is to make a Plan. Establishing
partnerships with organizations that can serve as valuable resources on lead in tribal schools' drinking water.
Step 1: Get the right people together:
~ Reach out to your local water system, state, and local offices. They may already have
resources to help or can provide consultation on getting started.
Partner with nongovernmental organizations who have experience with testing for lead in
drinking water. They may be willing to help you navigate through the planning and
implementation process of your program.
Find out if there are other childcare facilities near you who have implemented the 3Ts
Program and ask them to join your planning workgroup.
Form a working group with these partners and your
facility administrators that can provide a platform for
effective communication.
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Step 2: Know the facts:
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EPA provides tools and resources about lead in drinking
water to equip you with everything you need to know to
start a lead in drinking water prevention program at
your facility.
Review the Planning a 3T's Program section of the 3T's
for reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child
Care Facilities guidance.
Determine if monitoring has previously been conducted
at your facility. Review current and past records.

Before you start testing.
If you identify a lead service line through
review of historical records and visual
inspection, immediately contact your
local water system to learn more about
how to get it removed.
Correcting Lead Problems
When selecting a remediation provider
engage the state health department,
public water system, and other available
resources to ensure the organization
performing remediation is reputable.
Step 3: Make a plan and take action:
~	Develop program plans and assign responsibilities that provide the framework for an effective
program.
~	Communicate your plan, testing results, and strategy to correct any known lead problems with your
community throughout the process.
~	Test all drinking water outlets used for consumption (i.e., drinking water fountains, faucets, kitchen
and bathroom sinks).
~	Take action at outlets found to have high lead levels
Helpful note: If you rent your facility, notify the building owner of your testing plans, ask for help, and provide him or her
with a copy of your test results. Encourage your landlord to participate in this testing process and to take corrective actions
if lead problems are found.
How do we get help?
The 3Ts for reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities, found at
www.epa.gov/safewater/3Ts. will guide you throughout the process. You will find:
~	Steps you can take to test your water
~	Information on how to interpret results
~	Short-term and long-term remediation strategies to protect children from lead exposure

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