The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) grant awarded the Iowa Department of Education funds to support public schools and child care centers in voluntary testing of drinking water for lead. This grant program is designed to reduce lead exposure for children, who are most vulnerable, at schools and child care programs. Grant funding will be used to supplement and enhance existing resources.
WIIN Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grants
The WIIN Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grants provide an opportunity for schools and child care programs to bring awareness to water quality through voluntary testing, communication, and education. Public schools and child care programs who participate in the grant will receive access to training and technical assistance to implement the grant as well as additional educational resources for completing grant activities.
The priority areas of this grant funding include facilities within low-income areas, facilities with children six years of age or under and facilities built in 1985 or prior to the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Grant dollars can be used for the implementation of testing water for lead, retesting of structures if lead levels are above the state and federal action levels and additional education resources. Applications for voluntary participation from public schools and childcare programs are being accepted in 2022 and on a rolling basis while grant funding is available.
Application Guidance for Schools and Child Care Programs
Videos:
- WIIN Lead Testing Program Overview (3:58) - Overview of voluntary lead testing of drinking water program for Iowa schools and child care centers through the Water Infrastructure Improvement for the Nation (WIIN) grant program.
- WIIN Lead in Drinking Water Sampling (4:12) - Learn more about collecting water samples for the voluntary lead testing of drinking water programs.
- WIIN Lead in Drinking Water Results (4:18) - Learn about lead in drinking water results and next steps for schools and child care program participating in the WIIN program.
Complete the Lead Testing In School and Child Care Program Drinking Water Grant Application to participate.'
Water Test Results
WIIN Lead Testing in School and Child Care Drinking Water results will be shared through local communication strategies and posted in the Iowa Public Drinking Water Program Annual Compliance Report found on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website.