EPA gives New Mexico $191,000 to protect children from lead in drinking water

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced last week $191,000 in funding for New Mexico to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare facilities.

This grant funding will be used to reduce lead exposure where children learn and play while advancing the goals of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Lead Pipe and Paint Action Plan.

In children, lead can severely harm mental and physical development, slowing down learning, and irreversibly damaging the brain. In adults, lead can cause increased blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function and cancer.

“Our kids need clean drinking water and healthy learning environments where they can grow, play, and thrive,” U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich said. “I’m proud to deliver these federal resources to help protect New Mexico kids’ health and safety by replacing dangerous lead pipes in their schools, child care centers and preschools. This funding helps ensure that the places our kids spend large parts of their day — especially in early years of development — are safe.”

The grant program requires recipients to use the 3Ts – Training, Testing and Taking Action – to reduce lead in drinking water. The 3Ts Program provides valuable resources for states, territories and tribes to take action on lead and protect children in early care and educational settings.

“Thank you to the Biden-Harris Administration and the EPA for keeping a continued focus on eradicating lead from the nation's drinking supply and protecting children in New Mexico,” U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury said. “This additional $191,000 means child care facilities and schools will decrease a child's exposure to lead during the school day. It is these life-saving infrastructure projects that are making life better every day in New Mexico and across the country.”