Reducing Lead in Drinking Water

Companion video: How Does Lead Into Drinking Water?

Transcript

(1:56 min)

In an effort to reduce children’s overall exposure to lead in drinking water in schools and childcare facilities, EPA developed a voluntary program using a 3Ts — Training, Testing, and Telling — approach to help these facilities reduce lead in drinking water. There are currently no federal laws requiring schools or childcare facilities to test their water for lead. It’s completely voluntary.

The EPA encourages parents, educators, and child-care personnel to take a proactive role in reducing children’s exposure to lead by having their facility’s water tested. Testing is the only way to know if the water in your facility is putting the children at risk. When you implement a voluntary testing program at your facility you will be helping to protect the health of our nation’s children, while publicly demonstrating your commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the children in your care.

We know that creating a safe and healthy environment for the children in your care is your highest priority. By choosing to voluntarily implement the 3Ts program at your facility, you are helping to ensure that your children receive safe water.

Getting started is easier than you think. You can request your 3Ts toolkit by visiting our Web site at www.epa.gov/safewater/schools or by calling the safe drinking water hotline at 1-800-426-4791. You will be armed with all the information you need to not only test your facility, but also to communicate with your facility’s parents, students, and the community. Don’t wait another day to ensure that the water you are providing to the children in your care is safe, and lead-free.