New rules require Oregon day cares to test water for lead

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A state board has approved new rules requiring day cares in Oregon to test drinking water for high levels of lead.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the state Early Learning Council on Thursday approved the rules that stipulate day cares must test the water and submit the results to state regulators by the end of September.

The rules apply to more than 4,000 licensed day cares across the state and to unlicensed day cares that receive government funding.

Water taps that exceed the lead limit of 15 parts per billion must be shut off to children.

Day cares will be required to test the water every six years. New day cares seeking state licenses will be required to test their water before submitting an application.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com