What is Test & Fix Water for Kids?
Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 22-1358: Clean Water in Schools and Child Care Centers into law in June 2022. This law requires that each child care center, family child care home and school that serves any of grades preschool through fifth in Colorado test their drinking water for lead by May 31, 2023, and remediate if necessary.
The Test and Fix Water for Kids program will help schools and child care programs meet HB22-1358 requirements by providing free training, testing, remediation, and technical assistance.
All schools serving any of grades preschool through fifth plus all licensed child care programs in Colorado must enroll in this program to comply with this new law. If the local public health agency in your county is participating in the voluntary Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Lead Testing Program, their team will reach out regarding lead testing.
Supplies and guidance for testing will be available in October 2022. We will provide additional guidance materials and updates about enrollment, funding, eligibility and other topics as the program develops. Check this page for more details in the coming weeks. Email questions about this program to waterforkids@state.co.us.
What are the program benefits?
- FREE lead testing.
- FREE technical assistance and mitigation guidance (if necessary).
- Informational and communications materials for parents and other stakeholders.
- One-on-one support options.
Why should I care about lead?
Lead is associated with negative health effects that are especially harmful to young children. While exposure to lead can come from many sources, old or corroded lead plumbing or old brass fixtures can contribute to elevated lead levels in drinking water. If the results of a drinking water test show a lead result of 5 parts per billion or higher, the facility must address the drinking water source. To learn more about general lead testing procedures in schools and child care facilities, please visit the Environmental Protection Agency’s testing guidelines page.
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