Schools Can Receive Grant Money To Remove Lead From Water

CONCORD – The New Hampshire Department of Education was successful in its application to the NH Drinking Water and Groundwater Advisory Commission for a $1.6 million grant to assist removing lead from water in schools. The money, which will come from the 2018 Drinking Water Groundwater Trust Fund, was approved by the commission on Aug. 30, 2018, and the NH DOE received official notification this week.

The Legislature approved SB-247-FN-A in February requiring public and nonpublic schools, as well as childcare facilities, to test for lead in water before the end of June 2019. The NH DOE applied for the funds to help offset the remediation costs for schools that discover problems with water. Once schools test for lead in water and begin a remediation process to remove it, officials can apply for reimbursement. The department is in the process of finalizing details about reimbursements but officials speculate that the reimbursements will be handled in a manner similar to the school infrastructure grant payments, including the use of disparity rates based on property tax valuations to determine local match requirements.

“The department is pleased that these funds will be available to help offset the cost of ensuring that water in schools is safe for children,” noted Frank Edelblut, the commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education.

Amy Clark, the administrator of School Safety & Facility Management at the NH DOE, said specific details about reimbursements, how schools should apply for the funds, and other information, would be available by the end of the year.

The NH DOE will file a final application for the grant. Any non-construction project related work that has been completed is eligible for the reimbursement once the grant is finalized and approved by the Governor and Executive Council.

The advisory commission was established to oversee the disbursement of $278 million of Exxon-Mobil MtBE settlement funds. Numerous water projects, as well as grants and loans, are being given to cities, towns, schools, and water utilities across the state.