School Drinking Water Access Sugary drinks are a top source of added sugars and of empty calories in children’s diets. The school day is an important time to help children and youth develop the habit of drinking water to quench thirst. In recognition of this, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 requires schools to make potable water available at no charge to students, wherever lunch is served, and whenever breakfast is served in the cafeteria. During COVID-19, most schools are providing meals in locations other than the cafeteria. USDA provides guidance for meeting HHFKA water requirements in their Q&A for the Child Nutrition Programs during School Year 2020-21, Questions 13-16
The Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act, signed into law in 2016, included funding to reduce lead exposure in school drinking water. On October 23, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first round of grantees for a total of nearly $40 million. The following cities will receive funds to replace lead service lines: Providence, RI ($6.4M) Benton Harbor, MI ($5.6M) Grand Rapids, MI ($5.1M) These jurisdictions will receive funds to remove lead sources in school or childcare facility drinking water: Chicago, IL ($2M) Indiana ($544,000) Massachusetts ($9.2M) Newark, NJ ($7.5M) Virginia ($1.3M) District of Columbia ($2.3M)
