The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that Missouri will receive $480,000 in federal funding to help reduce lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. The grant is part of a nationwide $26 million initiative to protect children from lead exposure where they learn and play.
EPA Region 7 Administrator Jim Macy emphasized the importance of the funding for local efforts. “Children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of lead,” Macy said. “We are proud to support Missouri’s efforts and encourage more schools and child care providers to get involved.”
The funding comes through the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program, established under the 2016 WIIN Act (Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation). It supports voluntary lead testing and remediation in drinking water systems in schools and child care settings. Additional support is provided through EPA’s 3Ts Program—Training, Testing, and Taking Action—which helps facilities implement effective lead reduction strategies.
Since 2018, the EPA has invested over $200 million in efforts to reduce lead exposure in drinking water across the U.S.
