EPA Requests Grant Applications for Transdisciplinary Research into Detecting and Controlling Lead in Drinking Water

EPA has announced a request for applications for two grants potentially totaling $4 million in funding for innovative research into detecting and controlling lead in drinking water.  This funding focuses on research partnerships and collaborations with local communities that are potentially most vulnerable for exposures to lead in drinking water.  Funding for these grants, of course, depends on Congressional appropriations down the road.
EPA is seeking applications that will propose research combining scientific fields to look at lead throughout the water distribution system, including lead found in a community’s water supply, issues with lead in water treatment and distribution, and the potential effects of lead on public health.  Specifically, EPA is seeking applications proposing to (1) identify communities that are at a high risk of experiencing the adverse health effects of lead in drinking water; (2) identify opportunities to mitigate these risks; and (3) conduct educational and outreach efforts so that water system managers and the general public are aware of these risks and opportunities.  EPA hopes this funding will result in data and models to help communities identify and remediate risks associated with lead in drinking water, as well as an improved understanding of data sampling protocols and factors influencing how different communities are exposed.
This solicitation opened on June 27, 2017 and closes on August 15, 2017 at 11:59:59 pm Eastern Time.