---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300j–24"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300j–24"
heading: "Lead contamination in school drinking water"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300j-24"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XII — Safety of Public Water Systems"
  - "Part F — Additional Requirements To Regulate Safety of Drinking Water"
---

# §300j–24. Lead contamination in school drinking water

- (a) **Distribution of drinking water cooler list—** Within 100 days after October 31, 1988, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall distribute to the [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) a list of each brand and model of [drinking water cooler](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=1) identified and listed by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) under [section 300j–23(a) of this title](/usc/42/300j–23.md?p=a).
- (b) **Guidance document and testing protocol—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall publish a guidance document and a testing protocol to assist public water systems and [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) in determining the source and degree of lead contamination in [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) drinking water supplies and in remedying such contamination. The guidance document shall include guidelines for sample preservation. The guidance document shall also include guidance to assist [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6), public water systems, and the general public in ascertaining the levels of lead contamination in [drinking water coolers](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=1) and in taking appropriate action to reduce or eliminate such contamination. The guidance document shall contain a testing protocol for the identification of [drinking water coolers](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=1) which contribute to lead contamination in drinking water. Such document and protocol may be revised, republished and redistributed as the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) deems necessary. The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall distribute the guidance document and testing protocol to the [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) within 100 days after October 31, 1988.
- (c) **Dissemination to schools, etc.** Each [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) shall provide for the dissemination to [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), private [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) elementary or secondary [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and to day care centers of the guidance document and testing protocol published under [subsection (b)](#b), together with the list of [drinking water coolers](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=1) published under [section 300j–23(a) of this title](/usc/42/300j–23.md?p=a).
- (d) **Voluntary school and child care program lead testing and reduction grant program—**
  - (1) **Definitions—** In this subsection:
    - (A) **Child care program—** The term “child care [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4)” has the meaning given the term “early childhood education [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4)” in [section 1003(8) of title 20](/usc/20/1003.md?p=8).
    - (B) **Local educational agency—** The term “[local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3)” means—
      - (i) a [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3) (as defined in [section 7801 of title 20](/usc/20/7801.md));
      - (ii) a tribal education [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (as defined in [section 5502 of title 20](/usc/20/5502.md)); and
      - (iii) a person that owns or operates a child care [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) facility.
  - (2) **Establishment—**
    - (A) **In general—** Not later than 180 days after December 16, 2016, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall establish a voluntary [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) lead testing, compliance monitoring, and lead reduction grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) to make grants available to—
      - (i) [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) to assist [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water systems that serve [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under the jurisdiction of those [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), and qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations in voluntary testing or compliance monitoring for and remediation of lead contamination in drinking water at [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under the jurisdiction of those [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3); and
      - (ii) tribal consortia to assist tribal education [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) (as defined in [section 5502 of title 20](/usc/20/5502.md)), public water systems that serve [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under the jurisdiction of those tribal education [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), and qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations in voluntary testing or compliance monitoring for and remediation of lead contamination in drinking water at [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under the jurisdiction of those tribal education [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1).
    - (B) **Direct grants to local educational agencies—** The [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) may make a grant for the voluntary testing or compliance monitoring for or remediation of lead contamination described in [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A) directly available to—
      - (i) any [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3) described in clause [(i)](#d-1-B-i) or [(iii)](#d-1-B-iii) of paragraph (1)(B) located in a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) that does not participate in the voluntary grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) established under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A);
      - (ii) any [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3) described in [clause (ii)](#d-1-B-ii) of paragraph (1)(B);
      - (iii) any public water system that is located in a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) that does not participate in the voluntary grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) established under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A) that—
        - (I) assists [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in lead testing;
        - (II) assists [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) with compliance monitoring;
        - (III) assists [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) with carrying out [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) to remediate lead contamination in drinking water; or
        - (IV) provides technical assistance to [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) or child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) in carrying out lead testing; or
      - (iv) a qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization, as determined by the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1).
    - (C) **Technical assistance—** In carrying out the grant [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under [subparagraph (A)](#d-2-A), beginning not later than 1 year after October 23, 2018, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall provide technical assistance to recipients of grants under this subsection—
      - (i) to assist in identifying the source of lead contamination in drinking water at [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under the jurisdiction of the grant recipient;
      - (ii) to assist in identifying and applying for other Federal and [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) grant [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that may assist the grant recipient in eliminating lead contamination described in [clause (i)](#d-2-C-i);
      - (iii) to provide information on other financing options in eliminating lead contamination described in [clause (i)](#d-2-C-i); and
      - (iv) to connect grant recipients with [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) and other organizations that may be able to assist with the elimination of lead contamination described in [clause (i)](#d-2-C-i).
  - (3) **Application—** To be eligible to receive a grant under this subsection, a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization shall submit to the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) may require.
  - (4) **Priority—** In making grants under this subsection, the [Administrator](/usc/42/4005.md?p=1) shall give priority to [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agencies](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water systems, tribal consortia, and qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organizations that will assist in voluntary testing for or the remediation of lead contamination in drinking water at [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that are in low-income areas.
  - (5) **Limitation on use of funds—** Not more than 4 percent of grant funds accepted by a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization for a fiscal year under this subsection shall be used to pay the administrative costs of carrying out this subsection.
  - (6) **Guidance; public availability—** As a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, the recipient [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization shall ensure that each [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization to which grant funds are distributed shall—
    - (A) expend grant funds in accordance with—
      - (i) the guidance of the Environmental Protection [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) entitled “3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in [Schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6): Revised Technical Guidance” and dated October 2006 (or any successor guidance); or
      - (ii) applicable [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) or tribal [regulations](/usc/42/201.md?p=d) or guidance regarding voluntary testing or compliance monitoring for and remediation of lead contamination in drinking water in [schools](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that are not less stringent than the guidance referred to in [clause (i)](#d-6-A-i); and
    - (B)
      - (i) make available, if applicable, in the administrative offices and, to the extent practicable, on the Internet website of the applicable [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3) for inspection by the public (including teachers, other [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) personnel, and parents) a copy of the results of any voluntary testing for lead contamination in [school](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=6) and child care [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) drinking water carried out using grant funds under this subsection; and
      - (ii) notify parent, teacher, and [employee](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-5) organizations of the availability of the results described in [clause (i)](#d-6-B-i).
  - (7) **Maintenance of effort—** If resources are available to a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization from any other Federal [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1), a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), or a private foundation for testing or compliance monitoring for or remediation of lead contamination in drinking water, the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), [local educational agency](/usc/42/300j–21.md?p=3), public water system, tribal [consortium](/usc/42/17061.md?p=4), or qualified [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) organization shall demonstrate that the funds provided under this subsection will not displace those resources.
  - (8) **Authorization of appropriations—** There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection—
    - (A) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
    - (B) $35,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
    - (C) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
    - (D) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
    - (E) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XIV, § 1464, as added Pub. L. 100–572, § 2(a), Oct. 31, 1988, 102 Stat. 2886; amended Pub. L. 104–182, title V, § 501(f)(10), Aug. 6, 1996, 110 Stat. 1692; Pub. L. 114–322, title II, § 2107(a), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1727; Pub. L. 115–270, title II, § 2006(a), Oct. 23, 2018, 132 Stat. 3843; Pub. L. 117–58, div. E, title I, § 50110, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1150.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2021—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(1), inserted “public water systems and” after “protocol to assist” and “public water systems,” after “schools,”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(A), inserted “and reduction” after “lead testing” in heading.

Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(B)(i), substituted “the Administrator shall establish a voluntary school and child care program lead testing, compliance monitoring, and lead reduction grant program to make grants available to—” and cls. (i) and (ii) for “the Administrator shall establish a voluntary school and child care program lead testing grant program to make grants available to States to assist local educational agencies in voluntary testing for lead contamination in drinking water at schools and child care programs under the jurisdiction of the local educational agencies.”

Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(B)(ii)(I), inserted “or compliance monitoring for or remediation of lead contamination” after “voluntary testing” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(B)(ii)(II)–(IV), added cls. (iii) and (iv).

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(C), substituted “State, local educational agency, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit organization” for “State or local educational agency”.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(D), substituted “States, local educational agencies, public water systems, tribal consortia, and qualified nonprofit organizations” for “States and local educational agencies” and inserted “or the remediation of” after “testing for”.

Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(C), substituted “State, local educational agency, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit organization” for “State or local educational agency”.

Subsec. (d)(6). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(E)(i)(II), inserted “, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit organization” after “each local educational agency” in introductory provisions.

Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(E)(i)(I), which directed substitution of “State, local educational agency, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit agency” for “State or local educational agency” in introductory provisions, could not be executed because of the intervening amendment by Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(C). See Amendment note below.

Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(C), substituted “State, local educational agency, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit organization” for “State or local educational agency” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (d)(6)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(E)(ii), inserted “or tribal” after “applicable State” and substituted “voluntary testing or compliance monitoring for and remediation of lead contamination” for “reducing lead”.

Subsec. (d)(6)(B)(i). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(E)(iii), inserted “applicable” before “local educational agency”.

Subsec. (d)(7). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(C), (F), substituted “State, local educational agency, public water system, tribal consortium, or qualified nonprofit organization” for “State or local educational agency” in two places and “testing or compliance monitoring for or remediation of” for “testing for”.

Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 117–58, § 50110(2)(G), added par. (8) and struck out former par. (8). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2019, and $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021.”

2018—Subsec. (d)(2)(C). Pub. L. 115–270, § 2006(a)(1), added subpar. (C).

Subsec. (d)(4) to (7). Pub. L. 115–270, § 2006(a)(2), (3), added par. (4) and redesignated former pars. (4) to (6) as (5) to (7), respectively. Former par. (7) redesignated (8).

Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 115–270, § 2006(a)(2), (4), redesignated par. (7) as (8) and substituted “are authorized” for “is authorized” and “2019, and $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 and 2021” for “2021”.

2016—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 114–322 added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which related to a remedial action program to assist local educational agencies in testing for, and remedying, lead contamination in drinking water at schools.

1996—Pub. L. 104–182 made technical amendment to section catchline and subsec. (a) designation.