Project Grant 03D95824

DESCRIPTION:THE ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $659,000 TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM OF VOLUNTARY TESTING FOR LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AT LOCAL SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE CENTERS. WORK ON THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF TESTING OUTLETS USED FOR CONSUMPTION AT ALL PRIORITIZED SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES BY THE END OF THE PROJECT PERIOD; PROVIDING EDUCATION ABOUT LEAD AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING TO ALL PRIORITIZED SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES; AND RESPONDING TO RESULTS OF TESTING AND ADDRESSING POTENTIAL ELEVATED LEAD LEVELS WHERE NECESSARY. IT IS THE DEPARTMENT'S GOAL TO REDUCE LEAD EXPOSURE AT THESE FACILITIES BY TESTING FOR LEAD, IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL LEAD SOURCES, AND TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION. ACTIVITIES:THE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE UTILIZING EPA'S 3TS (TRAINING, TESTING, AND TAKING ACTION) GUIDANCE TO (1) COMMUNICATE THROUGHOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM, THE RESULTS AND IMPORTANT LEAD INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC, PARENTS, TEACHERS AND LARGER COMMUNITY; (2) TRAIN ON THE RISKS OF LEAD IN DRINKING WATER AND TESTING FOR LEAD, AS WELL AS DEVELOPING KEY PARTNERSHIPS TO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM; (3) SAMPLE, TEST, AND ANALYZE DRINKING WATER USING APPROPRIATE PROTOCOLS AND A CERTIFIED LABORATORY; AND (4) TAKE ACTION, INCLUDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PLAN FOR RESPONDING TO RESULTS OF TESTING CONDUCTED AND ADDRESSING POTENTIAL ELEVATED LEAD WHERE NECESSARY.SUBRECIPIENT:NO SUBAWARDS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS ASSISTANCE AGREEMENT.OUTCOMES:THE ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: (1) USE OF THE EPA'S 3TS FOR REDUCING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER GUIDANCE TO IMPLEMENT THE STATE PROGRAM; (2) DEVELOPMENT OF A STRATEGY FOR LEAD TESTING IN DRINKING WATER IN SCHOOLS AND CHILDCARE FACILITIES THAT SUPPORTS A ROBUST TRAINING, MONITORING, AND MAINTENANCE PLAN; (3) PRIORITIZATION OF TESTING AND REMEDIATION EFFORTS TO TARGET OLDER FACILITIES THAT ARE MORE LIKELY TO CONTAIN LEAD PLUMBING; (4) DEVELOPMENT OF A REGULAR LEAD TESTING PROGRAM UNDER THE INITIATIVE; AND (6) ESTABLISHMENT OF ROUTINE PRACTICES SUCH AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE 3TS GUIDANCE. THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES INCLUDE: (1) PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM LEAD EXPOSURE NOW AND IN THE FUTURE BY PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO CHILDCARE CENTERS BY PAYING FOR TESTING AND DETERMINING BEST ACTION TO TAKE FOR REMEDIATION; (2) REDUCTION OF CHILDREN'S EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER; (3) WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AND LEAD EXPOSURE REDUCTION IN DRINKING WATER; AND (4) ESTABLISHMENT OF ROUTINE PRACTICES SUCH AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE 3TS GUIDANCE. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE CITIZENS OF SOUTH CAROLINA.