NDDEQ is committed to the health of North Dakota children and healthy drinking water in schools and child care facilites. NDDEQ is
coordinating with multiple state and local agencies, public water systems and public schools
to proactively conduct a statewide voluntary screening program for the
presence of lead in schools and child care facilites drinking water.
The Concern
Lead is a highly toxic metal that can cause adverse health effects for both children and adults. Lead
exposure can affect nearly every system in the body and can increase children’s risk for learning
disabilities, central nervous system damage, kidney damage and other detrimental health effects. Most
children spend a significant portion of their day in schools, and many school buildings are aging structures
that can pose lead health
hazards.
Other sources of potential lead exposure include lead-based paint,
imported spices and candies,
antique furniture and toys, and leaching from plumbing materials.
Funding and Support
Currently, there are no funds available from NDDEQ to pay the costs to test water samples from schools and child care facilities for lead. Therefore, schools and child care facilities that are interested to determine the presence of lead in their drinking water must pay for the tests at their own expense. NDDEQ will provide technical assistance regarding available certified labs that conduct tests for lead in water, collection of samples, interpretation of sample results and guidance on steps to reduce lead in drinking water
