Nearly $3 million in grant funds have been awarded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to six northeastern states to detect and remove lead from drinking water at schools and childcare facilities.

The grants to the six New England states were announced Aug. 27, 2024 and total $2.915 million. They are to enhance school district and childcare facility safety by expanding access to testing of drinking water for lead, according to the EPA. Lead poisoning can cause irreversible damage, especially to children, and too often, lead exposure goes unnoticed until it is too late, the agency said.

The states and the amount awarded to each are:

• Connecticut was awarded $418,000.
• Maine was awarded $298,000.
• Massachusetts was awarded $1.285 million.
• New Hampshire was awarded $210,000.
• Rhode Island was awarded $336,000.
• Vermont was awarded $368,000.

“Every person, every child, deserves safe and clean drinking water,” David Cash, EPA regional administrator, said in a written statement. “As students, staff, and teachers start returning to classrooms across New England, no one should have to worry whether the water their loved one drinks at school or daycare is safe,” said Cash, who added that the funding for testing water taps at schools and childcare facilities will help ensure that every child can learn and grow in an environment free from the dangers of lead exposure.

The grant program requires recipients to use training, testing and to take action – to reduce lead in drinking water, according to the EPA. Furthermore, EPA says it is also advancing its “Get the Lead Out” initiative, and is working with underserved communities nationwide to provide those communities with the technical assistance needed to identify and remove lead service lines.