The State of Michigan has received a $1.9 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to test for lead in school drinking water.
While public drinking fountains are generally turned off during the pandemic, they will be turned on again at some point, and the state is working to ensure that the water will be totally safe.
The grant is part of the nearly $70 million EPA Voluntary Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care program. The funding is being prioritized to go toward schools in areas where children’s blood levels have tested higher, where schools can’t afford their own testing, and where communities have questioned the safety of the water.
Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Clean Water Public Advocate Ninah Sasy said, “Seeking opportunities to collaborate with state agencies and federal partners supports our mission of providing cleaner drinking water to all Michiganders. This governmental collaboration combined with our public outreach and Clean Water Ambassador program creates an environment where we can quickly get funding and resources to the communities most in need.”
Residents can sign up to be a “Clean Water Ambassador” at michigan.gov/cleanwater.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
