The EPA’s $26 million allocation to remove lead from school drinking water exposes a disturbing reality: our children have been consuming toxic water for years under the watch of the very agencies meant to protect them.
Key Takeaways
- The EPA is providing $26 million to identify and remove lead from drinking water in schools and childcare facilities across the nation.
- This funding is part of the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program, which has provided over $200 million since 2018.
- Lead is a dangerous neurotoxin that particularly affects children’s cognitive development and overall health.
- Since 2019, more than 20,000 childcare facilities and nearly 13,000 schools have tested their water for lead, with significant remediation efforts completed.
- Grant allotments will be distributed to states, territories, and tribal areas, with specific allocation amounts available on the WIIN grant website.
EPA Takes Action Against Lead Contamination in Educational Facilities
On June 13, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a significant investment of $26 million to address lead contamination in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities nationwide. This funding will help educational institutions identify and mitigate sources of lead in their water systems, protecting the health of millions of American children. The initiative comes as part of the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program, which has been operating since the passage of the WIIN Act in 2016, establishing protocols for lead testing in educational facilities.
EPA is committed to ensuring safe drinking water for communities across America. Today, EPA announced $26 million in funding for states and territories to address lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. Read more: https://t.co/mxcfqAW5Wa pic.twitter.com/k7FO2AwDVL
— U.S. EPA (@EPA) June 13, 2025
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin emphasized the serious health risks posed by lead exposure, particularly for children whose developing bodies and brains are especially vulnerable. States, territories, and tribal areas will receive portions of this funding based on predetermined allotments, with specific amounts available on the WIIN grant website. The program represents a continuation of the EPA’s commitment to addressing lead contamination, with over $200 million provided since 2018 to protect children from lead exposure in drinking water.
“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 that will maximize their potential and make our nation stronger,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
States Show Progress in Testing and Remediation Efforts
Several states have made significant strides in addressing lead contamination in educational facilities. Texas has tested approximately 97% of its planned facilities with assistance from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Colorado’s Test and Fix Water for Kids program has protected around 600,000 children from lead exposure through comprehensive testing and remediation efforts. These successes demonstrate the potential impact of the EPA’s funding when properly implemented at the state level.
“Lead is a neurotoxin that can negatively impact American children,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
New Hampshire provides another example of effective implementation, having replaced drinking water apparatus in 360 schools and taken remediation actions in 80 childcare facilities. Since the program’s inception in 2019, more than 20,000 childcare facilities and nearly 13,000 schools nationwide have tested their water for lead contamination. These efforts have resulted in thousands of contaminated fixtures being identified and addressed, reducing children’s exposure to this dangerous neurotoxin.
EPA’s 3Ts Program Provides Framework for Lead Reduction
The EPA’s 3Ts (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) program offers guidance to help schools and childcare facilities build effective voluntary lead reduction programs. This framework provides a systematic approach to identifying and addressing lead contamination in drinking water. While the funding and framework represent positive steps toward protecting children’s health, questions remain about why such contamination has been allowed to persist in educational facilities for decades, potentially affecting generations of American children.
While President Trump’s EPA is taking decisive action to address this crisis, the extent of the problem raises serious concerns about previous administrations’ priorities and the effectiveness of regulatory oversight. Many taxpayers are questioning why billions can be sent overseas for foreign wars while American children have been drinking neurotoxic water in their schools. The $26 million allocation, while welcome, represents a fraction of what’s likely needed to comprehensively address lead contamination in all American educational facilities.
