Updated at 11:09 a.m., Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hawaii to test for lead at childcare facilities
Advertiser Staff
The state Department of Health and the state Department of Human Services will begin testing tap water for lead at all licensed childcare and preschool facilities in Hawai'i.
If tap water is found to have an unsafe level of lead, the facility's owner will be required to take immediate action, such as installing a filter system, replacing plumbing fixtures or switching to bottled water.
The new state program supplements testing procedures already required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino said that even though water delivered from the public water systems meets federal and state standards, there is a risk of lead leaching into tap water when pipes are joined by lead solder in older buildings, or from the water fixtures in use.
The statewide testing program is expected to span over two years at an estimated cost of $569,000. The program is federally funded through the EPA Drinking Water State Revolving Fund administered by the health department.
The health department has contracted with Honolulu-based AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., to conduct the testing. Childcare facilities will not be charged for the water analysis. However, they will be required to take responsibility for any remedial actions if problems are found.
There are about 1,200 licensed daycare facilities in Hawai'i, including roughly 550 that operate in private homes.
