(1) Hot and cold running water shall be supplied to the licensed program premises.

(2) A licensee for a program that does not operate on public or private school premises must use a Washington state certified water laboratory accredited by the department of ecology to analyze drinking water to test the program water supply for lead and copper within six months of the date this section becomes effective. All fixtures used to obtain water for preparing food, drinking, or cooking must be tested prior to licensing and at least once every six years. Testing must be done pursuant to current environmental protection agency standards. A copy of the water testing results must be kept on the licensed premises. If the test results are at or above the current EPA action level, the licensee must immediately:

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

(b) Consult with the department of health for technical assistance;

(c) Contact and advise the department of the water test results and steps taken to protect enrolled children;

(d) Notify all parents and guardians of the test results; and

(e) Notify the department with plans to reopen the program once lead and copper levels are below the current EPA action level.

(3) If the 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 coliform 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 coliform 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 coliform bacteria, or is greater than ten ppm for nitrates, the licensee must:

(i) Immediately stop using the well water in the child care premises; and

(ii) Immediately inform the local health jurisdiction or the department of health and the department of the positive test results.

(c) If directed by the department, the program must discontinue operations until repairs are made to the water system and water tests indicate desirable results pursuant to (b) of this subsection.

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

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

(ii) Repair the well or install treatment as required and retest until the water meets the water quality standards pursuant to (b) of this subsection.

(4) A licensee must immediately notify the department when the water connection to the program space is interrupted for more than one hour, or the water source becomes contaminated:

(a) The department may require the licensee to discontinue program operation until the water connection is restored or the water source is no longer contaminated; or

(b) The licensee must obtain an alternative source of potable water approved such as packaged or bottled 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.