EPA allocates $26 million to reduce lead exposure at schools and child-care facilities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced $26 million for states and territories to test and remediate lead in drinking water at schools and child-care facilities. The funding is part of the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Where Children Learn program and is intended to support voluntary lead-testing and remediation work.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said the funding is aimed at protecting children from lead exposure in places where they learn. The announced allocation covers all 50 states, the District of Columbia and four U.S. territories. EPA said Tribal allotments will be announced separately.

This is a noncompetitive federal grant program for eligible governmental recipients, not a general contractor solicitation or proof that a particular local project is open for bids. EPA’s program page identifies states, the District of Columbia, territories and eligible Tribes as recipients. Participants develop workplans with EPA regional offices and submit final applications through Grants.gov according to regional deadlines.

EPA expects recipients to obligate the funds within two years, while anticipated project periods generally should not exceed four years. The agency said an updated fiscal year 2026 implementation document will be issued, but it had not posted one uniform national application deadline in the material reviewed.

For water-testing laboratories, engineering firms and remediation providers, the business implication will emerge through state, territorial and Tribal implementation plans and any resulting local procurements. Those opportunities must be verified separately. Read EPA’s announcement and program guidance.