(1) Hot and cold running water must be directly plumbed to the early learning program premises.

(2) An early learning provider must use a Washington state certified water laboratory accredited by the department of ecology to test the program water supply for lead and copper.

(a) All fixtures used to obtain water for preparing food or infant formula, drinking, or cooking must be tested prior to licensing approval and at least once every six years;

(b) Testing must be done pursuant to current environmental protection agency standards; and

(c) A copy of the water testing results must be kept on the licensed premises or in the program's administrative office.

(3) If the test results are at or above the current EPA lead action level, an early learning provider must do the following within twenty-four hours:

(a) Consult with department of health for technical assistance;

(b) Close the early learning program to prevent children from using or consuming water, or supply bottled or packaged water to meet the requirements of this chapter;

(c) Notify all parents and guardians of enrolled children of the test results;

(d) Notify the department of the water test results and steps taken to protect the enrolled children; and

(e) Notify the department once lead and copper levels are below the current EPA action level.

(4) If an early learning program space receives water from a private well, the well must comply with chapter 173-160 WAC, Minimum standards for construction and maintenance of wells.

(a) Well water must be tested at least once every twelve months for E. coli bacteria and nitrates by a Washington state certified laboratory accredited by the department of ecology to analyze drinking water. To achieve desirable results the test must indicate:

(i) No presence of E. coli bacteria; and

(ii) The presence of less than ten parts per million (ppm) for nitrates. If test results for nitrates are greater than five but less than ten ppm, the water must be retested within six months.

(b) If well water tests positive for E. coli bacteria, or greater than ten ppm for nitrates, the provider must:

(i) Stop using the well water in the child care premises within twenty-four hours;

(ii) Inform the local health jurisdiction, the department of health, and the department of the positive test results; and

(iii) If directed to do so by the department, discontinue child care operations until repairs are made to the water system and water tests indicate desirable results pursuant to (a) of this subsection.

(c) If the department determines that child care operations may continue while an unsafe water system is being repaired or while the provider installs treatment, the provider must:

(i) Provide an alternate source of water, approved by the department; and

(ii) Retest until water tests indicate desirable results pursuant to (a) of this subsection.

(5) An early learning provider must notify the department within four hours of when the water connection to an early learning program space is interrupted for more than one hour, or the water source becomes contaminated.

(a) The department may require the early learning provider to temporarily close until the water connection is restored or the water source is no longer contaminated; or

(b) The early learning provider must obtain an alternative source of potable water such as bottled or packaged water. The amount of the alternative source of potable water must be sufficient to ensure compliance with the requirements of this chapter for safe drinking water, handwashing, sanitizing, dishwashing, and cooking.