GREENSBORO, N.C. -- School is supposed to be a safe place for kids, and that includes the drinking water.

Environment North Carolina is trying to spread awareness in parents and educators that schools in the state aren't required to test for lead, which could harm students if there are high levels in the water.

"Unlike some other contaminants, it's an irreversible harm. What that means is that each amount of lead that a child is exposed to can lower his or her IQ permanently," Jennifer Hoponick Redmon of RTI International said.

The group released its toolkit in Greensboro Wednesday. The booklet outlines the dangers of lead in water, how it happens, and how parents can reach out to school officials to ask for testing.

Environment North Carolina's Clean Water Advocate Krista Early says they came to the county because of how the school system has lead the way on water testing.

"GCS voluntarily tested their school's drinking water and has been working to remediate the problem. Since the original test in 2018 the district has been working to test all taps that are likely to be used for drinking at their schools," Early said.

The group will present their toolkit to the Charlotte City Council next week.