Delaware Schools & Child-Care Drinking Water
Schools and child-care providers follow different drinking-water expectations in Delaware. This hub links to both, kept clearly separate, plus general facility-water guidance.
Short answer: Delaware schools use DDOE's Safe School Drinking Water resources and posted lead-sampling results, while the water supplier serving a school follows federal Lead and Copper Rule sampling requirements. Child-care centers and family child-care homes follow current Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) regulations, which vary by facility type. Do not assume one set of rules covers both.
Choose your path
Schools
Posted lead-sampling results, fixture inventories, sampling plans, and corrective action under current DDOE and federal guidance.
Start with Schools →Child Care
Water-source identification and current OCCL regulation guidance for family child-care homes, large family child-care homes, and child-care centers.
See Child-Care Guidance →Facility Water
Bottle filler and drinking fountain maintenance, seasonal reopening, and flushing checklists for any building.
Start with Facility Water →Guides in this section
Delaware School Drinking Water
An overview of the rules, resources, and responsibilities that apply to Delaware schools and child-care facilities.
Read the guide →School Lead-Sampling Results
How to find and interpret posted Delaware school sampling data.
Read the guide →Common mistakes
- Assuming every Delaware school follows an identical recurring state testing schedule
- Applying a school rule automatically to a child-care home or center
- Confusing facility-directed sampling with the water supplier's federal Lead and Copper Rule obligations
Official sources
- DDOE Facilities and Operations / Safe School Drinking Water
- Office of Child Care Licensing regulations (14 DE Admin. Code 933)
- U.S. EPA 3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Child Care Facilities
This page provides general educational information and is not legal or regulatory advice. Requirements change — verify current DDOE and OCCL guidance before relying on this content.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-11. Report a correction.