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Date: May 31, 2022​​

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Dear Local Educational Agency Representative:

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has recently been awarded grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, Section 2107, to assist local educational agencies (LEAs) with testing for and removing sources of lead in drinking water at schools.  All Maryland school districts are eligible to apply for this grant funding, and we encourage all to do so. 

The grant funding may be used for expenses associated with materials and labor for remediation options specified in Maryland’s regulations.  Per EPA guidance, permanent or long-term remediation measures are preferred over short-term measures.  Please refer to Module 6 in EPA 3Ts Manual for additional information.

To be eligible for funding under this grant program, remediation projects must occur during the period from November 15, 2021, through September 1, 2022, with all required documentation being received by MDE no later than September 8, 2022.  In accordance with requirements and guidance set forth by the EPA, the grant funding will be prioritized based on the following criteria:

• Schools with at least 50% of the children receiving free and reduced price meals or having a Head Start program; and

• Schools that serve children 6 years old and under.

Participating schools will be assigned to Priority Ranking Groups (PRGs) based on the above criteria.  Funds will be awarded to need within the highest ranking PRG first, with any funds remaining after demand is met being distributed to the next-highest ranking PRG.

Applications will be accepted from June 1 through June 22, 2022.  Applicants must provide, for participating school(s), the following information:

• The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price meals;

• Whether or not the school has a Head Start program;

• The lowest and highest grades of students served by the school;

• The amount of funding requested for remediation projects that have been completed and remediation projects to be completed;

• General and ancillary school and contact information.

The following documentation is not required at the time of application submission, but should be included with the application if available:

• Invoices for materials and labor for projects that have been completed;

• Estimates/quotes for materials and labor for projects to be completed.

Applications will be evaluated at the close of the application period.  For remediation projects that have been completed and for which valid documentation (i.e., invoices) is received at the time of application, reimbursement will be provided as soon as possible after the award decision date.  Funding for proposed projects will be disbursed to LEAs as soon as possible after work is completed and valid documentation has been received by MDE; all such documentation must be received by MDE no later than September 8, 2022.  Please note that, regarding funds approved for work to be conducted after the application deadline (i.e., after June 22, 2022) through September 1, 2022, MDE reserves the right to redirect to completed work any such funds not spent by September 1, 2022.

An application form is attached to this email.  We strongly encourage LEAs to submit the application as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please send an email to reporting.leadschoolwater@maryland.gov, or call the Water Supply Program at (410) 537-3729.

Sincerely,

Testing for Lead in Drinking Water in Public and Nonpublic Schools

Water Supply Program

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