Water Temperature and Testing 622-05-25-30-10

(Revised 5/1/2021 ML #3615)

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The family foster home for children shall ensure the water temperature in the home is monitored for safety. The water temperature settings should not exceed 120 degrees F. The authorized licensing agent, initially and annually thereafter, shall check the settings on the water heater to ensure proper water temperature is maintained.

 

Length of Exposure Required to Receive a Third-Degree Burn

Well Water Testing:

The water supply must be from an approved municipal water supply system where available. When a municipal system is not available, a water sample must pass the approved drinking water standard bacteriological water analysis testing.

 

The family foster home for children shall obtain results from an Environmental Protection Agency approved laboratory for testing through licensing with the ND Department of Environmental Quality. The water testing results must be submitted to ND Department of Human Services (NDDHS) Children and Family Services (CFS) Division in order for payment to be made on behalf of the foster home.

 

The Department has an agreement to pay for the required bacteriological water tests (not chemical analysis) for foster homes who provide foster care to children from these ND approved laboratories:

  1. ND Department of Health State Lab (Bismarck) at 328-6272
  2. Fargo Cass Public Health (Fargo) at 476-4089
  3. First District Health Unit (Minot) at 852-1376
  4. Astro-Chem Lab, Inc. (Williston) at 572-7355
  5. Southwest District Health Unit (Dickinson) 483-0171

In order for the water test to be paid by NDDHS, the authorized licensing agent must follow these procedures:

  1. The authorized licensing agent worker conducting the home study will requests a water bottle test kit from the lab located in closest proximity to the family home. When calling verify the laboratory has an account with NDDHS and identify the request is for “Foster Care Licensing”.
  2. The approved lab may send you specific forms already coded for their purposes. If not, the family must indicate on the paperwork received “NDDHS - Foster Care Licensing” to help the lab identify where to bill the test costs.
  3. The foster family will draw the water sample and complete the required laboratory form/s.
  1. Location Information: The family foster home will be indicated as the mailing address/location where the water sample was taken.
  2. Billing Information: If the vendor is an approved laboratory (listed above) a NDDHS account has been established for NDDHS to pay for the water testing.
  3. Water Results: All water testing results must be sent to dhscfs@nd.gov Attn: FC Water Testing
  1. The family must send the water sample to the laboratory immediately. The lab must receive the water sample within 30 hours of the sample being taken or the sample will be thrown out. It is best to drop the sample off if you plan to be in town. Also, plan accordingly as many labs have specified days the water samples can be tested (Ex: Monday – Wednesday only).
  2. The approved laboratory will send the completed lab report/results to CFS at dhscfs@nd.gov Attn: FC Water Testing. CFS will:
  1. Record & verify the family and results for payment purposes
  2. Forward the lab results to the regional office for the licensing file.
  1. The approved laboratory will bill CFS for water testing.
  2. CFS will initiate payment to the approved laboratory once per month.

NOTE: If the above procedure is not followed, NDDHS cannot pay for the water test.

 

Testing Preference:

The ND Department of Health is the preferred laboratory for water testing, however, the Department does understand distance offers great barriers for rural communities outside of Bismarck. If an approved laboratory is not listed above, the lab and cost of the water testing must be pre-approved by CFS in order to develop a process for submitting a sample, obtaining the results and making payment.

 

Direct Payment to Foster Parents:

Foster parents who pay for the water testing directly will not be reimbursed by the Department. The billing must be done through the approved laboratory and follow the procedures listed in policy.

 

Community Wells:

If a foster family has a community well, their community well is not required to be tested for foster care licensing purposes. A community well is considered a municipal water source and receives ongoing monitoring.

 

Failed Water Testing:

If sampled water is returned as “fail” or “unsatisfactory”, a foster child is not allowed to consume the water. The water will have to be re-tested until the sample passes the bacteriological water analysis requirements for the state of ND.

 

If the water testing results continue to present unsafe water that could be consumed by a foster child, further discussions and safety planning must occur between the laboratory specialists, foster family, authorized licensing agent, and regional office.