Deadline Extended to Feb. 11 for EPA grant program for states to support lead testing in school and

Due to the current shutdown, the Environmental Protection Agency has extended the deadline for states to submit letters of intent to Feb. 11.

The Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grant will assist local educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs. The grant program is designed to reduce exposure of children, who are most vulnerable, to lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities, utilizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools guidance or equivalent state program.

The non-competitive grant will include $20 million in funding focused on lead testing in schools and child care programs, with a set-aside of $1.2 million for tribal education authorities. In the letter to the governor, interested states are being asked to submit letters of intent to the EPA by Feb. 11, 2019, identifying the specific state agency that will administer the program. Those agencies will be eligible to submit a grant proposal. Learn more about the grant program at: www.epa.gov/safewater/grants.

The LOI should come from the state’s governor or designee and be sent to WIINDrinkingwatergrants@epa.gov.

Here is a sample Letter of Intent to Participate

Dear Acting Administrator Wheeler:

On behalf of the state/territory of ________________, I submit this email as notice of intent to participate in the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water Grant program as part of the Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation Act. The (insert the State/territory Department/agency here) will serve as the lead state/territory agency for this program. Please send any following up information pertaining to the grant program to the following:

Name:

Phone number:

Email:

Mailing address:

If you have additional questions concerning the grant, please send an email to the following address: WIINDrinkingWaterGrants@epa.gov.