NDEP Wraps up Lead Testing in Nevada Schools

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Wraps Up Statewide Lead Testing in Nevada Schools and Child Care Facilities

Statewide initiative celebrated during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

CARSON CITY, Nev. — In recognition of National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 20–26, 2025), Nevada is celebrating the successful effort to conduct lead testing programs in public schools, public charter schools, and licensed child care facilities across the state. These voluntary testing programs provided an opportunity to confirm that children in learning and care environments have access to safe drinking water and helped identify and address potential sources of lead exposure.

“Every child deserves safe water to drink while learning and growing,” said Jennifer Carr, Administrator, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP). “By facilitating funding for statewide lead testing in public schools and child care facilities, Nevada has taken a major step toward protecting our youngest residents.”

NDEP implemented two major lead testing initiatives over the past 8 years:

• Licensed Child Care Facility Lead Testing Program: Tested drinking water at licensed day care facilities at over 250 facilities statewide.
• Public School Lead Testing Program: Assessed drinking water at 26 public charter schools and over 480 public schools across Nevada, focusing on elementary schools first.

Through these federal grant funded projects, thousands of sink faucets and water fountains across more than 750 facilities were tested, training was provided for staff, and NDEP ensured technical guidance and support was provided to address any elevated lead levels discovered, all at no cost to participating facilities. Where needed, facilities implemented remediation measures, such as sink fixture or water fountain replacement and re-testing.

Water delivered by public systems is regulated at the tap. However, delivered drinking water can pick up lead as it flows through pipes, fixtures, or solder in older buildings or fixtures. The testing programs helped to ensure that Nevada’s children have safer drinking water in schools and child care settings. In addition, they raise public awareness about the risks of lead exposure, which—even at low levels—can cause irreversible health impacts, including developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral issues.

These programs, stemming from early federal EPA Multipurpose Grant funding in 2016 were further bolstered by the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016, that allows states to support both testing and remediation. Nevada’s lead testing programs adhere to the EPA’s “3Ts” framework—Training, Testing, and Taking Action—which ensures not only accurate sampling but also follow-through when elevated lead levels are found—and were supported by strong collaboration among state education, health, environmental agencies, and public water systems.

During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, NDEP encourages families and community members to learn about lead safety and to advocate for continued safe water practices in all child-occupied facilities.

Nevada’s lead testing programs were carried out collaboratively by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP), the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), the Nevada Department of Education (NDE), and local health districts. These agencies remain committed to monitoring, prevention, and education efforts to protect children from lead exposure.

For more information, visit ndep.nv.gov/lead.