Outline of the state of Colorado
State
Colorado
Required

Category
Water Quality

Category
Water Quality

State law requires districts to address water quality in schools.

6 Code of Colorado Regulations 1010-6 Rules and Regulations Governing Schools in the State of Colorado

6.7.1 Water Supply A. Adequate, uncontaminated, safe drinking water for the needs of the school shall be provided in the building housing the establishment and shall be from a source constructed, maintained, and operated according to the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations, 5 CCR 1002-11, and regulations adopted pursuant to Title 25-1.5-203, C.R.S., or

    1. If the school does not meet the definition of a public water system pursuant to the Colorado Primary Drinking Water Regulations, 5 CCR 1002-11 promulgated pursuant to 25-1.5-101 and 25-1.5-203, C.R.S., the school shall provide:
  • a. Adequate treatment on a continuous basis; and
  • b. Bacteriological samples at a minimum of once per quarter or at a frequency determined by the Department; and
  • c. An N, N diethyl-p-phenylene diamine (DPD) colorimetric drinking water test kit capable of testing free chlorine at an accuracy of 0.1 milligrams per liter (mg/L); and
  • d. Free chlorine shall range from a trace amount to 4 mg/Liter (0.2 to 1.2 mg/L recommended) at any fixture; and
  • e. The previous twelve months of water sample reports shall be retained on file at the school and shall be available for review by the Department when request; and the school shall immediately report positive results to Department.
    1. Schools with water supplies determined to be surface water or under the direct influence of surface water shall be required to filter their water to one micron absolute using National Science Foundation (NSF) approved equipment and maintain a residual disinfectant concentration to ensure inactivation and/or removal of giardia and other parasitic cysts and viruses. B. The water supply system shall deliver water at normal operating pressures (20 pounds per square inch minimum) to all plumbing fixtures. C. When a total water service interruption exceeds a period of two hours, the school shall be closed, unless dismissal of the pupils would be detrimental to their physical well being, or unless accessible alternatives for providing drinking water are available and approved by the Department prior to use. D. Faucets on non-drinking water supply systems used for irrigation or similar purposes shall be physically separated from the drinking water supply system and the faucets on the non-drinking water system shall be clearly marked as unsafe for drinking. E. The water storage, distribution system, treatment facilities and other mechanical equipment shall be protected from unauthorized access. F. Where water is supplied by the school's independent water supply system, plans for the water system shall be submitted to the Department for approval prior to construction.
Policy Type
Regulation

Colorado Revised Statutes 25-1.5-203. Water - powers and duties of department - rules - repeal

… (f) Public school lead testing grant program.

  • (I) To establish a grant program to pay for testing to detect the presence and concentration of lead in drinking water in a public school, as that term is defined in section 22-1-101 (1), that receives its drinking water from a public water system; except that, for purposes of this section, "public school" includes: A public school district; a charter school, as that term is defined in section 22-30.5-103 (2), including an institute charter school, as that term is defined in section 22-30.5-502 (6); and a board of cooperative services, as that term is defined in section 22-5-103 (2). The department may specify testing protocols and guidelines and may provide technical assistance, as necessary and feasible, to applicants and grant recipients regarding the grant application, sampling guidance, sampling plan review, and communication guidance. The commission may adopt rules to implement the grant program, which rules may include consideration of a public school's ability to pay for testing in administering the program. ...

  • (IV) A public school that receives a grant pursuant to this subsection (1)(f) shall either enter into a contract that requires compliance with the department's testing protocols to have the testing conducted or follow the department's testing protocols and provide the test samples to the department's laboratory or a laboratory certified by the department that is equipped to perform the required testing and analysis on a timely basis. The public school shall provide the test results to its local public health agency, its supplier of water, its school board, and the department. ...

Policy Type
Statute