Resources for Schools and Child Care Programs

New Hampshire law (RSA 485:17-a) requires all public and nonpublic schools and licensed child care programs to sample for lead in drinking water at outlets where water is available for consumption by children. Examples of drinking water outlets include drinking fountains, classroom sinks and kitchen fixtures. Sampling is required whether a facility’s water comes from a well or a town/city public water system. The legislation was enacted in February 2018 by Senate Bill 247 and revised with the passage of House Bill 1421 in July 2022.

 WATCH OUR VIDEO ON THE NEW CHANGES WITH HB 1421  

All facilities are encouraged to enroll in the program. ALL facilities will receive access to our online outlet inventory tool, reminders about upcoming sampling rounds, and technical assistance. Eligible facilities (public schools and licensed child care programs) will receive FREE lab analyses and must enroll in the program to access the free samples.

 WATCH OUR VIDEO ON ENROLLING IN THE PROGRAM  

Siga nuestros videos para registrarse gratis en el programa  

Important steps schools and child care programs must take include identifying drinking water locations to test (including sinks used for food preparation), requesting sampling materials from a certified lab, collecting samples, receiving results, notifying parents and guardians of any exceedances, and fixing locations with elevated lead levels.

Throughout this process, it is important to communicate with parents and guardians as well as NHDES. The buttons above provide more information on how to test your school or child care program’s drinking water for lead.

Please note these sampling requirements are in addition to those already required for child care centers served by a private well and in addition those for lead and copper compliance required by facilities that are regulated public water systems.