441—113.6(237) Sanitation, water, and waste disposal.
	113.6(1) Food preparation and storage. Food preparation areas shall be clean, and the home shall have kitchen facilities with a sink, refrigerator, stove, and oven in safe operating condition.
	113.6(2) Public water supply. The water supply is approved when the water is obtained from a public water supply system.
	113.6(3) Private water supply.
	a. 	Prior to initial licensure and prior to each license renewal, each privately operated water supply shall be tested and evaluated for obvious deficiencies, such as open or loose well tops or platforms and poor drainage around the wells.
	b. 	As part of the evaluation, water samples must be collected and submitted by the licensing worker or health sanitarian to the university hygienic laboratory or other laboratory certified by the hygienic laboratory and analyzed for coliform bacteria. In order for a foster family home to be licensed for the care of any child(ren) under two years of age, the nitrate (NO3) content must be analyzed.
	c. 	When the water supply is obtained from more than one well, proof of the quality of the water from each well is required.
	d. 	When the water sample result shows the water is potable, the license can be granted.
	e. 	When the water sample is not approved, no foster family home license shall be issued until the foster parents provide a written statement that the child(ren) will be provided potable water, including where the water will be obtained and how it will be transported and stored.
	(1)	The statement shall be provided on Form 470-0699.
	(2)	When the family has made ongoing alternative arrangements for the use of safe, potable water, annual testing of the water may be waived after the private water supply has tested unpotable for three consecutive years.
	113.6(4) Sewage treatment.
	a. 	Foster homes, wherever possible, shall be connected to public sewer systems.
	b. 	Private disposal systems shall be designed, constructed and maintained so that no unsanitary or nuisance conditions exist, such as surface discharge of raw or partially treated sewage or failure of the sewer lines to convey sewage properly.
	113.6(5) Garbage storage and disposal.
	a. 	A sufficient number of covered garbage and rubbish containers shall be provided to properly store all material between collections.
	b. 	Containers shall be fly tight, watertight, and rodent proof and shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
	113.6(6) Rodent and insect infestation. The home shall prevent or eliminate rodent and insect infestation.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 237.3.
[ARC 8010B, IAB 7/29/09, effective 10/1/09; ARC 3185C, IAB 7/5/17, effective 9/1/17; ARC 5064C, IAB 7/1/20, effective 9/1/20; ARC 6961C, IAB 4/5/23, effective 6/1/23]