Washington, DC-Young, Gifted & Green, a leading environmental justice and civil rights organization, applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent announcement of $26 million in grants to help schools and childcare facilities test for and remediate lead in drinking water. This much-needed funding is a critical step forward in ensuring all children have access to safe, lead-free drinking water at school and daycare.

For years, Young, Gifted & Green has been at the forefront of the fight for stronger protections against lead in school drinking water. In 2017, our organization led the effort to pass the strongest bill in history on mandatory testing for lead in school drinking water in Washington, DC. This landmark legislation required all public and public charter schools and childcare facilities in the District to test their water for lead and take immediate action to address any elevated lead levels. We built on this success by championing similar bills in Maryland in 2018, Tennessee in 2019, and most recently Michigan in 2023, steadily expanding the number of states with robust lead testing and remediation programs for schools.

The EPA’s new grants will build on this progress, providing resources for schools and childcare facilities across the country to test their water, identify sources of lead contamination, and take action to remove lead pipes and fixtures. Every child deserves access to safe, lead-free drinking water, and we are grateful to see the EPA making critical investments in this effort.

Lead exposure poses serious health risks, especially for young children whose developing brains and bodies are highly vulnerable. Even low levels of lead can cause lasting cognitive and behavioral challenges, as well as increased risk of kidney disease, cardiovascular problems, and reproductive issues later in life. The impact is even more severe for children in low-income communities and communities of color, who are disproportionately exposed to lead in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods.

The EPA’s new grants will greatly amplify the impact of these efforts, providing a significant injection of federal resources to supplement state and local initiatives. Schools and childcare facilities will be able to access funding to comprehensively test their water, identify the sources of lead, and implement immediate remediation strategies. Importantly, through Justice40, the EPA grants also include provisions to prioritize support for high-risk and underserved communities. This targeted approach is crucial, as studies have consistently shown that children in low-income areas and communities of color face disproportionately high exposure to lead in their environment. By directing resources to these vulnerable populations, EPA can help address longstanding environmental injustices and ensure equitable access to safe drinking water.

Young, Gifted & Green will continue advocating for comprehensive lead testing and remediation programs in schools nationwide. We know that lead exposure has devastating impacts on children’s health and development, and that the burden falls heaviest on marginalized communities. This EPA funding is an important step, but there is still much work to be done to protect all children from the threat of lead in their drinking water. Young, Gifted & Green remains committed to this fight. Through our legislative advocacy and community education & engagement, we will continue pushing for comprehensive solutions that protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

“Every child deserves to drink water without fear of lead contamination, and we won’t rest until that becomes a reality nationwide.” –LaTricea D. Adams, Founder CEO & President, Young, Gifted & Green