Violation
California Code § 1597.16(a)(1)Lead Water Testing
How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.
Regulation text
What California Code § 1597.16(a)(1) actually says
California Code § 1597.16(a)(1)
A licensed child day care center, as defined in Section 1596.76, that is located in a building that was constructed before January 1, 2010, shall have its drinking water tested for lead contamination levels on or after January 1, 2020, but no later than January 1, 2023, and every five years after the date of the initial test.
From the field
What providers tell us about this citation
Based on community experience, not official guidance.
Inspectors ask for your lead test results and check two things: the lab certification and whether you tested every water source children can access. They walk the facility and count taps, then compare that to your report. If your test results show three fixtures but they see five accessible faucets, that's a citation. The five-year retest deadline is based on your initial test date, not a fixed calendar year, so every facility has a different due date. Put the next test date on your license renewal reminder. Los Angeles and San Mateo counties are seeing the most citations right now, often because facilities tested once and forgot about the retest cycle.
By the numbers
- 23*CCLD
- facilities cited in the last 90 days
- 9*CCLD
- counties where this citation appeared
- 26*CCLD
- rank among most-common citations
- Trajectory
- Steady+1 facility
That is 1 in 5000 facilities CCLD inspected.
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.
23 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.
What other providers do
Common practices to stay clear of Lead Water Testing
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
Common practices
What to avoid
- Testing only the kitchen faucet and ignoring classroom sinks, bathroom taps, and drinking fountains. Inspectors compare the number of water sources in your facility to the number on your lab report. Every fixture a child could drink from needs its own test.
- Using a home lead test kit instead of a state-certified laboratory. The results from retail kits aren't accepted by CCLD. Contact your local water utility first since many offer free testing for licensed childcare facilities.
- Assuming that installing a water filter or providing bottled water exempts you from testing. The regulation requires testing your building's plumbing regardless of filtration or alternative water sources. Inspectors will still ask for lab results.
- Losing track of the five-year retest deadline. Since the cycle is tied to your initial test date (not a universal deadline), providers forget when they're due. Set a calendar reminder for four years and six months after each test to give yourself time to schedule the next one.
Regional record
Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days
Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 10 |
| San Francisco | 4 |
| San Diego | 2 |
| Santa Clara | 2 |
| ALAMEDA | 1 |
| Ventura | 1 |
| San Mateo | 1 |
| Santa Cruz | 1 |
| San Bernardino | 1 |
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Further reading
Articles about this topic
Public record
Check any facility for § 1597.16(a)(1)
Free public record. No account needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What is Lead Water Testing?
How common is this citation?
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
How can I prevent this citation?
What should I do if I receive this citation?
Related violations
Other citations in this regulation family
This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.