Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities
EPA is responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's drinking water in public water supplies. EPA estimates that approximately 8,000 schools and child care facilities maintain their own water supply and are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA).
There are approximately 98,000 public schools and 500,000 child care facilities not regulated under the SDWA. These unregulated schools and child care facilities may or may not be conducting voluntary drinking water quality testing.
Exposure to lead is a significant health concern. The growing bodies of children and infants absorb more lead than the average adult. Drinking water is one possible, but not the only, source of lead exposure. Infants whose diets consist of formula may get lead exposure from tap water used to make the formula.
Lead in Drinking Water Resources
- 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools provides tools for schools, child care facilities, states, and water systems to implement voluntary lead in drinking water testing programs.
- Basic information about lead in drinking water
- EPA’s infographic on lead in drinking water
- Water utilities' annual water reports, also known as Consumer Confidence Reports
- EPA’s lead website -- learn more about lead from different sources (i.e., paint, air, dust, soil)
- Webinar Series: Case Studies about Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities