The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week released a specialized toolkit to encourage school officials and child care facilities to reduce lead in their drinking water.

The "3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water at Schools and Child care Facilities Toolkit" contains materials to implement a voluntary Training, Testing, and Telling strategy.

Testing water in schools and child care centers is important because children spend a significant portion of their days there. The "3Ts Toolkit" explains how to test for lead in drinking water; report results to parents, students, staff, and other interested parties; and take action to correct problems.

Steps in the program include:

· Collecting information on school drinking water and identifying assistance to implement a school lead control program;

· Developing a plumbing profile;

· Developing a drinking water testing plan;

· Testing the facilities' drinking water for lead;

· Correcting problems when elevated lead levels are found; and

· Communicating with the school community about a school lead-control program.

EPA developed the toolkit in conjunction with nongovernment organizations and several federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Education, whose Safe and Drug-Free School Coordinators will help promote and distribute the package to schools.

Visit the “3Ts Toolkit” webpage online or printed copies of the toolkit will be available through the Water Resource Center at 800-832-7828 and through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at: 800-426-4791.

1/27/2006