Pennsylvania Offers Grants to Combat Lead in Childcare Drinking Water

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania childcare facilities have until Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, to apply for grants aimed at reducing lead levels in drinking water, the stateu2019s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced. The Voluntary School and Childcare Lead Testing and Reduction Grant, funded through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, targets facilities with water fixtures exceeding the remediation trigger level of 5 parts per billion (ppb).

The program, established under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, provides funding for activities such as installing hydration stations, point-of-use devices to remove lead, or replacing faucets. Facilities can receive up to $3,000 per hydration station per 100 students in a single building, with a maximum of $30,000 per building or $100,000 per school district.

u201cThe primary goal of this grant program is to reduce childrenu2019s exposure to lead in drinking water,u201d an OCDEL spokesperson said. u201cWe encourage all eligible facilities to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to ensure safer environments for our children.u201d

To qualify, facilities must submit water sample results from the past 36 months showing lead levels above the 5 ppb threshold. Applicants are encouraged to schedule pre-application meetings to discuss their lead reduction plans and ensure compliance with program criteria. Meetings can be arranged by emailing the OCDEL.

This initiative comes as part of broader efforts to address lead contamination in drinking water, a critical public health issue. Lead exposure in children has been linked to developmental delays, learning difficulties, and other long-term health problems.