In an effort to accelerate the removal of lead in drinking water, the Virginia Office of Drinking Water (ODW) has made funding available to reduce children's exposure to lead in schools and child care facilities. ODW is soliciting applications for projects in disadvantaged communities that will expedite this goal. Projects that receive assistance under this program may include the removal and/or replacement of lead-containing drinking water fixtures, fountains, outlets, and plumbing materials. These funds are awarded on a competitive basis and provided as 100% principal forgiveness (grant). Please note, ODW can only provide reimbursement for remediation actions under a pre-existing contract through the grant program.
The School and Child Care Lead Remediation Program, developed in partnership with 120Water, is anticipated to launch towards the end of 2026. Additional guidance, application materials, and funding information will be posted as they become available. Please check back for updates as the next grant cycle is finalized.
What to Do if Your Faucet Tests Above EPA’s Lead Action Level (15 ppb)
When a drinking water outlet exceeds the EPA’s action level for lead, it’s important to act quickly to protect the health of children and staff. The steps below outline immediate actions and short‑term control measures, followed by guidance to help you identify and correct the source of lead.
Immediate Response / Short‑Term Control Measures
- Turn off or bag the affected fixtures immediately to prevent use.
- Keep these outlets out of service until follow‑up investigation and remediation.
- When children are present, keep these fixtures turned off until re‑testing confirms safe water quality.
Further Control Measures - Diagnostic steps to identify the source of lead.
- Use lead check swabs (hardware store or online) to test common lead‑containing components:
- Shut-off valves
- Elbows and joints
- Soldered connections
- Review sampling results:
- A higher 30‑second flush result compared to the initial draw may indicate lead from the incoming line or upstream plumbing.
- If no lead sources are found:
- Clean the faucet aerator, flush the fixture and retest.
- Evaluate fixture usage:
- Rarely used fixtures may show elevated lead due to stagnation.
- Clean aerators, flush, and re‑test to assess stagnation impacts.
- Consider temporary mitigation options while determining the source:
- Install certified point‑of‑use filters.
- Remove fixtures entirely if they are not needed.
Permanent Remediation Methods
- Replace any fixtures, valves, fittings, or soldered connections that contain lead.
- Ensure all replacement fixtures and plumbing components are NSF/ANSI lead‑free certified.
- Install certified point‑of‑use filters as a long‑term solution when fixture or plumbing replacement is not immediately feasible.
- Remove unnecessary fixtures to eliminate potential lead sources and reduce stagnation.
- Implement long‑term water management:
- Routine flushing of infrequently used fixtures
- Regular aerator cleaning
- Record‑keeping for fixture replacements, filter installations, and sampling results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on each bar below to expand and view the answers to frequently asked questions.
What drinking water outlets should be taken out of service?
Drinking water outlets that have an elevated sample result greater than the lead action level (15ppb), must be removed from service until permanent remediation is taken.
When should a school or child care facility post “Do Not Drink; Safe for Handwashing” signs?
If the facility chose to sample water outlets that are not drinking water outlets and the non-drinking water outlet has a sample result greater than the lead action level, it is recommended to post a “Do Not Drink” sign on the water outlet until permanent remediation is taken.
Is follow up testing necessary after replacement of any drinking water outlet or any other alteration to plumbing or service lines that may impact lead levels at the outlet?
The facility shall sample for lead after the replacement of any drinking water outlet or any other alteration to plumbing or service lines that may impact lead levels at the outlet.
What are my remediation options?
Immediate Steps
- Shut off or disconnect the problem outlets. This will include turning off the outlet unless it is determined the location must remain on for non-drinking purposes. In these cases, a “DO NOT DRINK – USE FOR HANDWASHING ONLY” sign will be posted. [or “Handwash Only”, “Lab Use Only”, “Dishwash Only”]
- Share results with staff and parents
Short Term Options
- Install point-of-use filters at problem taps
- Flush taps before use
- Provide an alternate source of drinking water at problem location or within the vicinity of the elevated tap if needed (i.e., bottled water, bottled jug water stations, etc.)
- Clean Aerators
Long Term Options
- Replace problem outlet fixtures
- Replace or reconfigure premise piping
- Investigate service line materials
- Consider corrosion control methods
- Implement a school wide program to educate students and staff to drink only at certain locations. (i.e., teach them not to drink or fill bottles at bathroom sinks or other non-drinking water locations)
Does the grant program include follow-up sampling after remediation?
Yes, funding is available to retest any replaced fixture before putting it back in service.
What are best practices that can be taken daily to reduce lead in water?
A permanent mitigation plan needs to be determined for sources with concentrations greater than 15 ppb, however there are general best practices that can be made to reduce lead exposure:
- Use only cold water
- Use only sources intended for consumption.
- § 32.1-167 VA code states that human consumption includes drinking, food prep, dishwashing, bathing, showering, hand washing, teeth brushing, and maintaining oral hygiene.
- Clean the faucet screen and aerators to remove particles that can build up
- Flush fixtures before use. This is not a guaranteed solution but can help move stagnant water through the plumbing system.
How is this program funded and how does it differ from your other funding programs?
The School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Program is made possible by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN). The WIIN Act established the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water grant in 2016 to award funding to states, territories, and Tribes to assist local and Tribal educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law enacted in November 2021 changed the grant program to Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program and allowed grant funding for lead remediation in addition to testing.
WIIN funding is to be used exclusively for work that involves lead remediation at schools and child care facilities. If you have a project that involves both lead and non-lead work, you will need to complete additional applications for those activities.
Please note that projects will need to follow the same programmatic, State, and Federal requirements that are required for other Construction Projects, unless otherwise stated. Certain requirements may be deemed not applicable to WIIN projects, depending on the scope and setup of the project. These non-applicable items will be determined after all applications have been received and evaluated.
Are there other sources of funding for lead-based work besides WIIN funds?
Yes! - One of the three categories under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funding is specifically allotted for Lead Service Line (LSL) work. This pot of funding covers both LSL Replacement as well as LSL Inventory work. Approximately $45M specifically for BIL-LSL funding will be available each year, from FY 2022 through FY 2026. This BIL-LSL funding is intended to supplement LEAP funding. In general, LEAP funding is awarded as 100% principal forgiveness (grant), while BIL-LSL funding also has some grant funding available but may contain a loan portion. LEAP eligibility is slightly more flexible compared to BIL-LSL eligibility.
Is there any guidance available regarding the LCRR?
The Virginia Department of Health, Office of Drinking Water (VDH-ODW) maintains primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) under the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act) and the federal SDWA regulations for the Commonwealth of Virginia. As the primacy agency, the VDH-ODW will be implementing the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) requirements. Please check the VDH-ODW Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) Guidance webpage for the latest information, including templates, training information, and FAQ documents.
If your question has not yet been answered, please feel free to contact us or view the EPA's website to learn more.