Free Lead Testing for Public Schools and Child Care Facilities
Idaho DEQ offers free lead testing and analysis for drinking water in public schools and child care facilities to identify and address potential lead contamination.
Funder: Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Due Dates: June 30, 2026 (final date for free testing requests)
Funding Amounts: Free lead testing: sample containers, analysis, and shipping provided at no cost to eligible facilities through June 30, 2026.
Summary: Free laboratory analysis of drinking water samples for lead is available to Idaho public schools and child care facilities not regulated as public water systems, to help identify and address lead contamination.
Key Information: Program covers all costs of testing and shipping; results are shared with both the facility and DEQ and posted publicly.
Description
This program, administered by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and funded by the US Environmental Protection Agency, provides free laboratory analysis for lead in drinking water at Idaho public schools and child care facilities that are not regulated as public water systems. The initiative aims to help facilities identify potential lead contamination and take action to protect children and staff from lead exposure. Participation is voluntary, and all testing, shipping, and analysis costs are covered by the program through June 30, 2026.
Facilities collect water samples using containers supplied by the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL), following EPA's recommended protocols. Results are provided to both the facility and DEQ, and are made publicly available to ensure transparency and inform remediation efforts if needed.
