Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grant Program xvEPA ~ OFFICE OF GROUND WATER • AND DRINKING WATER The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act or "WIIN Act" of 2016 authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a voluntary grant program to assist local and tribal educational agencies and child care programs in testing for lead in drinking water at schools and child care programs. More information is available at: www.epa.gov.safewater/grants. Description To assist states, territories, and tribes in helping schools and child care programs address lead in drinking water, this program will include approximately $26 million in FY2020 funding in the second year of the program. The grant program is designed to reduce exposure of children, who are most vulnerable, to lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities, utilizing the EPA's 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water guidance, or equivalent state program. The grant will: • Help prioritize funding toward schools unable to pay for testing; • Foster sustainable partnerships to allow for more efficient use of existing resources and exchange of information among experts in various environmental, educational and health sectors; • Improve protection of children's health by reducing lead exposure; and • Enhance community, parent, and teacher trust. In accordance with the America's Waters Infrastructure Act (AWIA) of 2018 section 2006, priority must be given to assisting schools and child care facilities that are in low-income areas. AWIA also directs the EPA to provide technical assistance to recipients of the grant. Eligible Entities Grants will be awarded to states to assist local educational agencies. Local educational agencies include agencies as defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; tribal education agencies as defined in section 3 of the National Environmental Education Act; and owners or operators of child care facilities. Approximately 6.4% will be allocated to assist tribal educational agencies in testing for lead in drinking water at schools and child care programs. The EPA will announce the approach for implementing the tribal allotment in the near future. Eligible Projects Eligible projects shall expend grant funds in accordance with the EPA's 3Ts guidance or applicable state regulations or guidance that are not less stringent than the 3Ts guidance. As part of the testing program, local educational agencies are required to make the testing results publicly available and notify parent, teacher, and employee organizations of the availability of the results. Approach for New Participants In FY2020, Notices of Intent to Participate (NOIPs) by new participants (e.g., territories) are due by May 4, 2020. The grant allotments are available on the EPA's website and are based on a funding formula that includes factors for population, disadvantaged communities, and lead exposure risk. Outreach The EPA will collaborate with regions, and federal and nongovernmental partners to provide outreach and training on the grant and the 3T's process. The EPA will also update the www.epa.gov/safewater/3ts webpage to provide tools and materials to assist schools and child care facilities in implementing a drinking water lead testing program. ------- |