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Lead-Safe Wisconsin: The Lead-in-Water Testing and Remediation Initiative

Young child drinking water

The Wisconsin Lead-in-Water Testing and Remediation (WTR) Initiative works to reduce drinking water hazards in licensed group child care centers and Head Start programs across the state.

This free program tests for lead in water at these centers and helps impacted facilities to take action by offering free plumbing replacement for fixtures, such as water fountains, kitchen faucets, and classroom faucets.

Why is it important to test for lead in water?

Some old plumbing materials and plumbing fixtures like faucets and water fountains may contain lead. Over time, this lead can enter our drinking water and, when consumed, can enter our bloodstream. Unfortunately, infants and young children are especially susceptible to lead exposures such as this. Children who are exposed to lead can develop:

  • Behavior and learning problems
  • Lower IQ and hyperactivity
  • Slowed growth
  • Hearing problems
  • Anemia
  • Speech and language impairment

Facilities built before 1986 are most likely to have been built with materials that contain lead. Because you cannot see, taste, or smell lead in water, testing is the only sure way to tell if there are elevated levels of lead in your drinking water.

To learn more about lead poisoning and other ways that lead exposure can occur, visit our Lead-Safe Wisconsin: What is Lead Poisoning page.

I'm a child care provider. How do I get started?

Your facility can choose whether or not to participate in this voluntary program. You can also decide to participate at a later time if that is more convenient for your facility. Please note, participation in the Lead-in-WTR Initiative is limited to licensed group child care centers and Head Start programs at this time. To get started, contact your local public health department if you are interested in participating.

There are three main steps to participation in the Lead-in-WTR Initiative:

Step 1: Get enrolled

  • Contact your local public health department (LPHD) to learn more about the program, the benefits of participating, and to notify them of your interest in enrolling.
  • Communicate your plan to participate with staff and families.
  • Work with your LPHD as they gather information and create a unique water sampling plan for your center.

Step 2: Get tested

  • Coordinate with your LPHD to test all functioning water outlets in your facility.
  • Receive initial water sampling results from your LPHD.
  • Coordinate follow-up water sampling with your LPHD if any initial samples exceed the program guidelines. If no initial samples exceed the program guidelines, no additional sampling is needed.

Step 3: Take action

  • Receive your final water testing results and information about hazardous water outlets from your LPHD.
  • Stop using impacted faucets. Alternately, post signage to alert staff to not use outlets for drinking or cooking.
  • Work with the state program coordinator to schedule free plumbing replacement of any drinking or cooking water outlets that are found to be hazardous.

Considerations for child care providers that rent their facility

If you rent your facility, please keep in touch with your building owner. It is up to the child care facility to communicate with their landlord about their program participation and to share water-testing and remediation updates as they become available. Your LPHD will provide a letter for sharing the testing results with the building owner.

Considerations for parents

The only way to determine if a child has been exposed or lead- poisoned is to have the child’s blood tested for lead. The degree of risk depends on the child’s total exposure to lead from all sources in the environment – air, soil, dust, food, paint, consumer products, and water. Such sources can come from older homes, toys, cookware, etc. If you have any immediate concerns, please contact your primary care provider.

Additional resources

Glossary

 
Last revised February 29, 2024