Prioritizing Children's Health: Water Testing for Schools & Daycare Facilities in Oregon
Ensuring safe drinking water for children in schools and daycare facilities is a top priority in Oregon. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) have established specific regulations and recommendations regarding water testing to protect young people from potential contaminants. Alexin Labs is your trusted local partner in Tigard, Oregon, providing comprehensive water testing services to help schools and daycare centers throughout the state comply with these crucial guidelines and ensure a healthy environment for students and staff.
Why Water Testing is Essential for Schools & Daycare Facilities in Oregon:
Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of certain water contaminants. Regular and thorough water testing in schools and daycare facilities is vital for:
Meeting Oregon Regulations
The OHA and ODE mandate specific water testing, particularly for lead, in schools and licensed childcare facilities (OAR 333-061-0400 and OAR 581-022-2223).Protecting Children's Health
Exposure to contaminants like lead can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other serious health issues in children.Identifying and Mitigating Risks
Testing helps pinpoint sources of contamination, allowing for prompt remediation and prevention of exposure.Ensuring Safe Drinking Water Sources
Regularly testing all drinking water outlets ensures that fountains, faucets, and kitchen sinks used by children and staff meet safety standards.Building Trust with Parents and the Community
Demonstrating a commitment to water safety through regular testing fosters confidence in the school or daycare environment.Proactive Prevention
Routine testing can identify potential problems before they become health hazards.
Key Oregon Regulations for Water Testing in Schools & Daycare Facilities
Lead Testing
This is a primary focus of Oregon regulations.
Schools (Public, Charter, ESDs): Must test all drinking water and food preparation fixtures for lead at least once every six years, starting July 1, 2020 (OAR 333-061-0400 and OAR 581-022-2223). Initial testing for fixtures added after specific dates is also required. We offer competitive bulk pricing for schools of all sizes.
Childcare Facilities (Licensed & DHS Regulated): Must test all drinking water faucets and fixtures accessible to children or used for food preparation for lead at least once every six years (OAR 414-180-0015). New facilities opening after September 30, 2018, need to test before licensing.
Action Level for Lead: The action level for lead in water in Oregon schools and daycare facilities is 15 parts per billion (ppb). Any fixture testing at or above this level must be immediately removed from service until remediation and follow-up testing confirm levels below 15 ppb.
Reporting and Notification: Schools and daycare facilities have specific requirements for reporting test results to the OHA/ODE and notifying parents/guardians.
Other Potential Contaminants
While lead is the primary focus, depending on the water source (public or private well) and any identified concerns, testing for other contaminants may be advisable or required. This could include:
Bacteria (Total Coliform, E. coli) – especially for facilities with private wells.
Nitrate – particularly for facilities using well water or located near agricultural areas.
Arsenic – a naturally occurring contaminant in some Oregon regions.
Copper and other metals – to assess potential leaching from plumbing.
Specific Ions (tailored to brewing/winemaking needs)
Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Chloride, Sulfate, Carbonate, Bicarbonate.
pH: Affects palatability and can influence the toxicity of other substances.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Salinity: High levels can lead to dehydration and other health issues.
Nitrate: Can be toxic to livestock, especially young animals.
Sulfate: High levels can cause digestive problems.
Heavy Metals (Arsenic, Lead, Selenium, Molybdenum, etc.): Can be toxic to livestock even at low concentrations.
Iron and Manganese: High levels can affect palatability and potentially cause health issues.
Treated Water (If On-Site Treatment is Used)
Testing to verify the effectiveness of filtration, softening, or other treatment processes.
Frequently Asked Questions
At this government site: Drinking Water Data Online.
Contact us to determine the type of sampling containers needed. It is important to use only the sampling containers provided by us as a certified lab to ensure the integrity of your results. All sampling containers provided by Alexin Labs have been quality checked for sterility and cleanliness as needed.
No, you are responsible for remembering when you need to take these samples. If you are a Public Water system in the State of Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority will typically alert you to your annual testing needs.
We’d recommend that you keep track of this yourself; however, we do keep all analytical results for at least five years. If you need copies of past reports, please contact our front office, additional re-processing fees will apply.
We are legally obligated to report failing results from routine or compliance drinking water samples for Public Water Systems only. For clients not representing a Public Water System, we ensure the utmost confidentiality and security regarding all private samples.
Alexin Labs: Your Partner in Ensuring Safe Water for Oregon's Children
Alexin Labs is committed to providing accurate and reliable water testing services to schools and daycare facilities throughout Oregon, helping you meet Oregon’s regulatory requirements and, most importantly, protect the health of children. We have been dedicated to testing lead in Oregon schools for over 30 years and understand the regulatory obligations and the ongoing need for monitoring with the assurance of certified results.
Lead testing services compliant with OHA and ODE regulations, using ORELAP-accredited methods.
Accurate and timely results to facilitate prompt action if necessary.
Comprehensive testing packages for a wide range of potential contaminants, tailored to your facility's needs.
A dedicated team committed to supporting the health and safety of our community's children.
Clear and understandable reports.
Guidance on proper sampling procedures.
About us
Ensure a safe and healthy environment for the children in your care.
Contact Alexin Labs today to discuss your school or daycare facility’s water testing needs and how we can help you comply with Oregon regulations.