No later than June 30, 2023, all entities listed below must submit to the New Jersey Department of Education a 2022-2023 statement of assurance for testing and reporting of lead in school drinking water using the form available on the NJDOE SOA Lead in School Drinking Water submission webpage.
An NJDOE advisory noted that covered entities include:
- New Jersey public school districts.
- Charter schools.
- Renaissance schools.
- Jointure commissions.
- Educational services commissions.
- Approved private schools for students with disabilities acting under contract to provide educational services on behalf of New Jersey public school districts.
- State-funded early childcare facilities pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A:13A (contracted childcare and Head Start programs).
- Receiving schools as defined by N.J.A.C. 6A:14-7.1(a).
In accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:26-12.4 Safe Drinking Water, all regulated entities must submit a statement of assurance to the NJDOE each year assuring that testing and reporting of lead in school drinking water requirements are being met. As part of the submission, the entity will be required to provide most recent dates the testing of lead was completed, school webpage address links to posted test results, the posted exceedance letter (if applicable) and the posted NJDOE approved exemption letter (if applicable). The most recent test results collected from all outlets and any applicable letters must remain posted on the entity’s webpage.
A 2022-2023 statement of assurance for lead drinking water testing and reporting is required to be submitted for all entities, including any entity that received an exemption approval. In addition to any New Jersey Department of Children and Families licensing requirements, state funded early childcare centers (contracted childcare and Head Start programs) must also submit the online NJDOE statement of assurance. As a reminder, all entities must test for lead from all drinking water outlets during the same three-year testing cycle. The next statewide testing year is 2024-2025 in which all entities must test for lead in school drinking water.
Failure to submit the statement of assurance by June 30, 2023, may result in disqualification for reimbursement, an investigation by the Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance, and the withholding of state aid pursuant to N.J.A.C. 6A-2-1.2.
More information is available on the NJDOE Testing and Reporting of Lead in School Drinking Water webpage. Questions or comments can be sent via email.