In the wake of a clean water crisis that has forever shaped the lives of countless Michigan residents, public agencies around the country are tightening their belts when it comes to mandatory water testing. According to a recent report, after a thorough audit by the Comptroller's office, it was determined that the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) failed to ensure that all group day care facilities had performed the appropriate lead water tests.
Instead, high-ranking officials instructed their agency personnel to record false data in the Child Care Activity Tracking System, which allowed many of these child care facilities to receive and renew their necessary permits for operation. Once the results of the audit became public, the New York City Health Department took time to assure the concerned public that all 2,279 center-based group day care (GDC) programs would undergo testing and have their accurate results entered into the system for the month of July, 2016.
"It should not take an audit to ensure that a city agency is doing its job to protect our kids," NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer explained in a statement on the matter.
While there are dozens and dozens of registered day care facilities within the Brooklyn borough boundary lines, a sample of 15 group day care facilities reveals that as of August 3, 2016, six facilities still have not tested the drinking water for lead. Parents whose children frequent these types of facilities are urged to visit the Child Care Connect web page within the NYC DOH website to find out whether their particulat day care center has the appropriate permits on file.
