Making Potable Water Available

Summary

Safe drinking water for children in care is of utmost importance. The vast majority of institutions incur zero to little cost to provide potable water. For those that need to have their water tested, contact your local health department agency or public water provider to locate a certified lab to test for contaminants. In that case, providers may have “allowable use of nonprofit food service account funds if the costs are determined to be reasonable, necessary, and allowable to the Federal meal programs.”

Remember, nonprofit food service account funds may not be used to improve plumbing because it would add permanent value to the building and that cost should be paid for by the school district or childcare facility’s general fund. Filtering systems may be allowed but primarily on a case-by-case basis.