Voluntary Lead Testing Program for Schools and Childcare Facilities

Florida has nearly 3,600 public schools and 9,000 licensed childcare facilities. According to Florida Department of Health (DOH), even low levels of lead exposure in children can result in brain and nervous system damage, and cause behavior and learning issues.

To avoid these adverse effects, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that all schools and childcare facilities regularly test their drinking water for lead. If lead is found at any water outlet at levels above 15 parts per billion (ppb), EPA further recommends taking action to reduce the lead.   

Section 2107 of the federal Water Infrastructure Improvements for the National (WIIN) Act authorized EPA to provide financial assistance for states to develop voluntary lead testing programs to check drinking water in schools and childcare facilities. Florida applied for and is receiving this assistance through a grant from EPA known as the “WIIN 2107 Grant.” Utilizing EPA guidance, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has developed the Voluntary Lead Testing Program for Schools and Childcare Facilities to allow qualifying facilities to participate in and benefit from this initiative.

What Are the Benefits for Participating?

The “on-again, off-again” nature of water at most schools and day care centers can raise lead levels in drinking water. Water that sits overnight, during a weekend, or vacation stays in contact with pipes that may contain lead or lead solder longer.

Reducing the amount of lead in drinking water to as close to zero as possible is an important part of reducing a child’s overall exposure to lead in the environment.

Voluntary participation in this program is at no cost to the selected schools and childcare facilities. All participating facilities will receive:

• On-site drinking water sample collection and analysis.
• Educational materials on the health effects of lead in drinking water, methods to reduce lead exposure, proper methods for sample collection and preservation, and responding to elevated results.
• Guidance for effectively communicating with parents and the community.

• Assistance with development of a lead testing program following EPA’s “3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities” guidance (Training, Testing, Taking Action).

How Does a Facility Volunteer to Participate?

If you would like to participate in this voluntary and cost-free program, please contact us at 850-245-8486 or PWS@FloridaDEP.gov.

How Will Facilities Be Selected for Participation?

In compliance with EPA requirements, priority will be given to those facilities where children may be more vulnerable to lead exposure, including:

• Schools and childcare programs in low-income areas, such as those with at least 50% of children receiving free/reduced school lunch and Head Start facilities. 
• Programs primarily caring for children six years of age and younger.
• Facilities that are more likely to contain lead plumbing, such as those built prior to 1988 and those with evidence of lead plumbing materials.

Additional Resources

• EPA's WIIN Grant: Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water.
• EPA's 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Toolkit.
• EPA's Potential Funding Sources for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities.
• EPA's Lead Information.
• Florida Department of Health's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program.

Contact Us

WIIN 2107 grant program staff can be contacted at PWS@FloridaDEP.gov and 850-245-8486.