EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announces $26 million in funding to combat toxic lead in school drinking water, while questions remain about whether the money will reach children in time to prevent irreversible neurological damage.
Key Takeaways
- The EPA is allocating $26 million to help identify and eliminate lead contamination in drinking water at schools and childcare centers across the United States
- Lead is a confirmed neurotoxin that can cause permanent developmental damage to children’s brains and nervous systems
- Since 2018, the EPA has provided over $200 million to address lead exposure in drinking water, with the current funding continuing these efforts
- The program has already helped test water in nearly 13,000 schools and over 20,000 childcare facilities nationwide
- States including Texas, Colorado, and New Hampshire have demonstrated significant progress in testing and remediation efforts
Trump Administration EPA Takes Action Against Dangerous Lead Contamination
President Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency has announced a substantial $26 million funding initiative to protect America’s children from lead contamination in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities across the nation. The funding, announced on June 13, is part of the ongoing Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program, which aims to help educational institutions identify and eliminate sources of lead in their water systems. The funding will be distributed to states and territories, with specific allotment amounts for each jurisdiction available on the WIIN grant website.
EPA is committed to ensuring safe drinking water for communities across America. Today, EPA announced $26 million in funding for states and territories to address lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. Read more: https://t.co/mxcfqAW5Wa pic.twitter.com/k7FO2AwDVL
— U.S. EPA (@EPA) June 13, 2025
Protecting American Children from Neurotoxin Exposure
The initiative addresses a critical public health concern: lead exposure in children. Lead is a powerful neurotoxin that can cause permanent cognitive impairment, behavioral problems, and developmental delays in children, making its elimination from school environments a matter of national importance. Under the leadership of EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, this funding represents a commitment to ensuring safe environments where children can learn and develop without exposure to harmful contaminants that could permanently affect their futures and America’s competitiveness.
“Lead is a neurotoxin that can negatively impact American children,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
Since 2018, the EPA has provided over $200 million to address lead exposure in drinking water, demonstrating a sustained commitment to resolving this issue. The current $26 million allocation builds upon this foundation, enabling schools to take concrete steps toward eliminating lead from their water systems. This comprehensive approach reflects the Trump administration’s prioritization of protecting America’s children from environmental hazards while ensuring taxpayer dollars are effectively utilized for tangible improvements in public health infrastructure.
Proven Success in States Across America
The EPA’s lead reduction efforts have already shown significant results across multiple states. Texas has tested approximately 97% of its planned facilities, with assistance from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In Colorado, the Test and Fix Water for Kids program has successfully protected approximately 600,000 children from lead exposure. New Hampshire has replaced drinking water apparatus in 360 schools and implemented remediation actions in 80 childcare facilities, demonstrating the practical impact of this funding on communities nationwide.
“With $26 million in funding this year, more schools will be able to identify sources of lead in their water and take action so that our nation’s children can focus on learning, playing, and developing skills that will maximize their potential and make our nation stronger,” said EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin
The EPA’s 3Ts program (Training, Testing, and Taking Action) provides essential guidance for building voluntary lead reduction programs. This structured approach has facilitated testing at more than 20,000 childcare facilities and nearly 13,000 schools nationwide since 2019, with substantial remediation efforts completed. These numbers represent real progress in protecting American children from a preventable health hazard that could otherwise limit their potential and increase healthcare costs for families and communities.
A Long-Term Commitment to America’s Future
Originally established by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act in 2016, the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program continues to support voluntary lead testing in educational facilities. The Trump administration’s continued investment in this program demonstrates a clear recognition that protecting children’s health is not just an environmental issue but an investment in America’s future workforce and competitive position. By addressing this fundamental health risk, the administration is helping ensure that the next generation of Americans can develop their full cognitive potential.
While the $26 million allocation represents a substantial commitment, the EPA’s approach wisely leverages state and local partnerships to maximize impact. By working through existing state environmental agencies and providing technical guidance through the 3Ts program, the funding can reach more facilities more efficiently than a federally micromanaged approach. This state-led implementation strategy aligns with conservative principles of federalism while addressing a national health priority that affects children across every demographic and region of America.
