You are on this page: Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program
Contents
Overview
You cannot see, smell, or taste lead in water. Testing is the only way to know if lead is present. There are no known safe levels of lead. Lead can cause physical and behavioral effects in children. Some of these include:
- Damage to nervous systems
- Learning disabilities
- Impaired hearing
- Behavior dysregulation
- Slowed growth
- Anemia
- Hyperactivity
New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is accepting applications for the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program made available by federal funding provided from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). OCFS was awarded the Lead Testing in School and Child Care Program Drinking Water grant, authorized under the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act. With this grant OCFS has created the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program and has contracted with New York Environmental (NYE) an Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) certified laboratory, for laboratory analysis.
The goal of the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program is to provide free lead testing for drinking water at New York State OCFS licensed and registered child care facilities. OCFS has created a Lead in Drinking Water Program checklist for providers.
Ready to Apply?
Request Form Guidance:
- Submit one form per eligible facility.
- Providers must agree to all attestations to be eligible.
After submission of request form, OCFS will review the request and email applicants with next steps and instructions.
The deadline for the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program Request Form is Tuesday July 1st, 2025 at 11:59 PM. Any applications received after the deadline will not be reviewed.
Eligibility
- OCFS licensed or registered child care facilities who are open1 are eligible to apply.
- Child care facilities located in a rented space are eligible.
- OCFS Legally Exempt providers are not eligible to apply.
- Child care facilities operating in public schools are not eligible as they are already subject to lead testing initiatives.
- NYC group day care facilities permitted under Article 47 of the NYC health code are not eligible to apply, as they are already subject to lead testing initiatives.
- Child care facilities located in the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) are not eligible to apply, as they are already subject to lead testing initiatives.
- The EPA recommends that child care facilities should not conduct sampling after an extended closure as these samples would not represent typical water usage. Sampling prior to this waiting period could result in a higher-than-normal lead level result. These facilities should wait 2-3 weeks after operating with a normal water usage amount before applying. Child care facilities are encourage to review the EPA factsheet for further details.
FAQ
Have questions? Check out the complete FAQ.
Public and private(well) water systems are both eligible to apply.
Use the EPA’s Plumbing Profile Questionnaire to help determine whether lead is likely to be a problem at your facility.
For more information please visit the EPA’s website or visit the EPA’s 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water manual. Additionally, please see guidance provided by the EPA for Ensuring Drinking Water Quality in Child Care Facilities During and After Extended Closures.
Information for Providers
Dear Provider Letters
July 24 - Lead Testing
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is continuing to offer the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program for licensed and registered child care facilities.
- July 24, 2023 Letter PDF - English
- July 24, 2022 Letter PDF - Spanish / Español
March 22 - Lead Testing
The Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is proud to be implementing the Lead Testing in Drinking Water Program for licensed and registered child care facilities.
- March 22, 2022 Letter Word | March 22, 2022 Letter PDF - English
- March 22, 2022 Letter Spanish Word | March 22, 2022 Letter PDF - Spanish / Español
“How-to” Collection Training Videos
The person responsible for the collection of water samples must watch both videos prior to collection.
- NYS has created a how-to video with information on the First Draw and Flush (2nd draw) samples:
Required Video 1: Taking a First-Draw and Flush Sample for Lead in Drinking Water. - NYS DOH has also created a video for schools, which child care programs/providers could find helpful when collecting their samples. Please note that OCFS has already contracted with a laboratory for all providers. Preservatives are not needed for your sample. Preservatives will be added by the lab after they receive your collection:
Required Video 2: Sampling for Lead in Drinking Water in NYS Schools. - The following video was created by the EPA is specific for child care providers and offers insightful sample collection instructions as well:
3Ts Sample Collection Video
Training
- Lead: The Hidden Danger in Drinking Water
- The Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP) offers a free training, Keeping Children Safe: Prevention of Lead Poisoning and Other Dangers to Children.
- What Child Care Providers Need to Know About Lead (NYSDOH)
Classroom Materials and Support
- Basic Lead Information Website (EPA)
- Sources of Lead in Drinking Water Poster (EPA)
- "Runs Better on Unleaded" Poster (EPA)
- What You Need To Know About Lead Poisoning (EPA)
- Lead Poisoning And Your Children (EPA)
- 3Ts to Protect Children from Lead in Drinking Water at Child Care Facilities Poster (EPA)
Informational Videos
- Together, Let’s Get the Lead Out by American Water Works (AWWA)
- Getting the Lead Out of Drinking Water by Replacing Residential Lead Service Lines By EPA
- What Does Lead Poisoning Do To Your Brain? By PBS
- GAO: Lead in Drinking Water by U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
US EPA 3Ts
- 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water (EPA)
- 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities (EPA)
3 pasos clave para reducir el nivel de plomo en el agua potable en escuelas e instalaciones de cuidado infantil (EPA) - 3Ts Factsheet for Child Care Facilities (EPA)
- 3Ts Lead Sample Collection Field Guide (EPA)
- 3Ts Lead Sample Collection Poster (EPA)
- 3Ts Lead Sample Collection Field Guide Video (EPA)
- 3Ts Program Plan eBuilder for Schools (EPA)
- 3Ts Program Plan eBuilder for Child Care Facilities (EPA)
Other Resources
- Childhood Lead Poisoning (NYSDOH)
- Lead in Drinking Water (CDC)
- Basic Information about Lead (EPA)
Information for Families
Lead in drinking water is not the only way that children can become exposed to this toxic heavy metal. Lead can be found in other places such as paint and dust. Keep your family safe by staying informed. The EPA has created a helpful informational PDF on how to Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home.
New York City residents, including those residing in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) public housing, can request a free lead in drinking water test from the Free Residential Lead Testing Program offered by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Please note that this test cannot be used to meet the lead testing requirement for child care facilities.
Resources
- Basic Lead Information (EPA)
- Sources of Lead (EPA)
- About lead poisoning (EPA)
- About Lead Poisoning Brochure (EPA)
For detailed information please visit New York State’s Department of Health webpage for information about lead.
Informational Videos
- Together, Let’s Get the Lead Out by American Water Works (AWWA)
- Getting the Lead Out of Drinking Water by Replacing Residential Lead Service Lines By EPA
- What Does Lead Poisoning Do To Your Brain? By PBS
- GAO: Lead in Drinking Water by U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Results
OCFS Lead Testing Drinking Water Program Results
Look up the results of NYS schools and BOCES programs.
To find your local water supplier report you can go to the EPA’s website for the Consumer Confidence Report. To view the public water systems Annual Water Quality Report for New York State please visit the Department of Health’s website.
Additional Resources
Additional Free Testing Opportunities
- New York City’s Free Residential Lead Testing Program
Other Environmental Hazards
Lead isn’t the only environmental danger to children. To learn more please go to the Radon Testing Program.
Resource Documents
- Fixture Manifest
- Chain of Custody
- Provider Checklist
- OCFS Program Requirements and Instructions
- Resource Information to Address Elevated Lead Levels In Drinking Water
- OCFS Lead Testing in Drinking Water Follow-up Checklist
- Resource Support Visual
- NYSDOH "Do Not Drink" Signs
- What Child Care Providers Need to Know About Lead
- Sources of Lead (EPA)
- Flushing Best Practices (EPA)
- How to Identify Lead-Free Certificiation Marks (EPA)
- Lead Brochure (EPA)
- 3T’s Module 6 - Remediation (EPA)
- Funding Sources (EPA)
- A Consumer Tool for Identifying Point of Use (POU) Drinking Water Filters Certified to Reduce Lead (EPA)
Policies and Legislation
- EPA’s WIIN GRANT
- WIIN ACT (Congress)
- WIIN Section 2107 Implementation Document
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLRP)
- America’s Water Infrastructure Act (AWIA)
- Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
Contact Information
For questions please email ocfs.sm.watertest@ocfs.ny.gov.