3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water

U.S. EPA 3Ts Program - Training, Testing, & Taking Action

Help for You: The EPA 3Ts program provides guidance and resources to assist with lead testing and remediation in drinking water in schools and child care facilities. 3Ts can be used by schools and child care facilities implementing a program; and by states, territories, and Tribal Consortia funded by EPA through the Reducing Lead Where Children Learn Grant Program. EPA also awards grants on a competitive basis through Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant.

There is no safe level of lead in drinking water, especially for children. The EPA encourages schools and child care facilities to implement lead reduction programs for maintaining healthy learning environments. Implementing lead reduction programs is an investment that takes a 3Ts approach of Training, Testing, and Taking Action.

One-Stop: Direct links are provided based on audience - see table (e.g., modules, manuals, training materials/webinars, case studies) and cards (e.g., School and Child Care Resources, Program Implementation Resources, and Tribal Program Resources, Funding, etc.) below. Policy and contact information are provided at the end of the page.

View Translated Resources: 3Ts Spanish Resources

Start the 3Ts Approach!

Let's Talk Lead! (Quick Links)

Training Module 1: Communicating the 3Ts Module 2: Learning about Lead in Drinking Water Testing Module 3: Planning your 3Ts Program Module 4: Developing a Sampling Plan Module 5: Conducting Sampling and Interpreting Results Taking Action Module 6: Remediation & Establishing Routine Practices Module 7: Recordkeeping

3Ts Manual Download the 3Ts manual (pdf) (1.66 MB, October 2018) (English) Download the 3Ts manual (pdf) (3.36 MB, June 2020) (Spanish) 3Ts Checklist (pdf) (292.08 KB, 2018) Training Materials/Webinars Training webinars Factsheets 3Ts Lead Sampling Collection Video (7 mins., August 2022) US EPA 3Ts Lead Sample Collection Field Guide For Schools and Child Care Facilities (pdf) (1.45 MB, July, 2022, EPA 816-F-22-009)

• School & Child Care Facility Resources

  

  Help schools and child care facilities implement lead testing and remediation programs - Interactive tools and outreach/technical products (e.g., factsheets, templates, posters, sampling procedures).

  School and Child Care Facility Resources

• State and Territory Implementation Resources

  

  Help states and territories implement lead testing and remediation grant programs - Guidance, interactive tools, and outreach/technical products (e.g., factsheets, templates, posters, sampling procedures).

  State and Territory Implementation Resources

• Public Water System Resources

  

  Help public water systems implement the Lead and Copper Rule requirements for school and child care facility monitoring and public education. 

  Public Water System Resources

• Tribal Programs Implementation Resources

  

  Help tribal programs implement lead testing and remediation grant programs - Guidance, case studies, interactive tools, and outreach/technical products. 

  Tribal Program Resources

• WIIN Grants

  

  The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN Act) addresses, supports, and improves America's drinking water infrastructure. Included in the WIIN Act are three drinking water grants that promote public health and protection of the environment.​   

  WIIN Grants Resources

• Partners in Reducing Lead

  

  U.S. EPA Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Reducing Lead Levels in Drinking Water in Schools and child Care Facilities - Federal and non-federal partner resources. 

  More Information Coming Soon

  MOU Partner Resources

Policy

Resources on policies and regulations to protect children’s health from lead in drinking water.

There is no safe level of lead exposure. In drinking water, the primary source of lead is from pipes, which can present a risk to the health of children and adults. EPA is committed to using every tool available to ensure every American has access to clean water.

• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
• Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
• EPA Lead Webpage
• Glossary of Terms (pdf) (699.89 KB)
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Head Start Policy and Regulations

Contacts

• 3Ts Program Contact - Cindy Mack (3ts@epa.gov)
• WIIN Grant: State/Territory Reducing Lead Where Children Learn Grant Program Contact - Elisa Davey (WIINDrinkingWaterGrants@epa.gov)
• WIIN Grant: Tribal Reducing Lead Where Children Learn Grant Program Contact - Daniela Rossi (rossi.daniela@epa.gov)
• State/Region Reducing Lead Where Children Learn Grant Program Contact