Title
Board of Health for Madison and Dane County Resolution #2022-10 Resolution to enter into a contract with and accept funds from WI Department of Health Services for Lead-in-Water Testing Remediation project for childcare facilities
Body
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has reached out to Public Health Madison and Dane County (PHMDC) to ask for assistance on a lead-in-water testing and remediation project for childcare facilities. DHS has identified 45 eligible facilities in Dane County. Eligible facilities are licensed childcare centers that serve at least 20 children and are located in census tracts where 25% or more of the families with young children are considered to be living in poverty. This project is funded by a grant that would provide $1,200 for every center that is sampled. PHMDC expects to be able to complete sampling work for 15 centers in 2022. If the project continues to be funded, PHMDC hopes to complete sampling activities in the remaining centers by the end of 2024. The funds offered in the grant should be sufficient to cover PHMDC expenses to perform this work in 2022.
In addition to funds that are earmarked for sampling, DHS has secured funding to make corrections at the centers where high amounts of lead are found in the water. The changes implemented will range from replacing drinking fountains and water faucets to posting signs on water sources that are unlikely to be used for drinking. Each center will be allowed up to $1,000 to make necessary changes to provide lead-safe drinking water in the center.
In the past, PHMDC has communicated with schools and childcare centers about the need to address lead in water through sampling and mitigation. However, with no financial assistance to help with mitigating identified problems, childcare facilities are reluctant to take action. Now that resources are available, the department has the opportunity address this situation and help ensure that facilities requiring remediation are providing lead-safe water to Dane County children. The funding to cover replacements has been instrumental in gaining cooperation from childcare centers that have participated in this project in other WI counties and will strengthen relationships between PHMDC and the community in the areas of environmental health and water quality.
Funding for corrections may not be available past September 2022 if need for this funding for remediation is not demonstrated. If sampling demonstrates a financial need, we anticipate future mitigation funding will be available.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Health for Madison and Dane County on behalf of Public Health Madison and Dane County authorizes the Director of Public Health, or their designee, to sign a contract with WI Department of Health Services for water testing and lead remediation, to accept and expend funding in the amount of $33,000, and authorizes the department to amend the 2022 budget.
Drafted by: John Hausbeck and Devyn AJ Brown
Introduced: May 4, 2022
Action: