Testing for Lead in Drinking Water

Background Info:

On April 9, 2018, Maryland House Bill (HB) 270 went into effect. It requires all Maryland school systems to test for lead in all drinking water outlets that have their water supplied by a public utility. Examples of drinking water outlets include, but are not limited to, drinking water fountains, kitchen sinks, Nurse’s Office sinks, classroom sinks, ice machines and any other outlets used for drinking or food prep. For any water outlet not used for drinking water and food prep, appropriate signage must be placed and visible stating that location is for handwashing only. HB 270 testing must be conducted while school is in session, and the bill has three initial testing deadlines. First deadline, any school constructed before 1988 and all elementary schools must be tested before July 1, 2018. Second deadline, middle schools constructed on or after 1988 must be tested before July 1, 2019. Final deadline, high schools constructed on or after 1988 must be tested before July 1, 2020. For any school built after HB 270 went into effect, the school must be tested within 12 months of the date of occupation.

HB 270 set a maximum contaminant level of 20 parts per billion (ppb). If a water sample exceeds the 20 ppb limit then the following steps must occur. Within 24 hours of being notified of an elevated result, access must be closed off to the outlet. Within five days of being notified, the outlet must be flushed and sampled again. Within ten days of being notified, the school must provide a written notice detailing all elevated sample results to the parents/legal guardians, faculty and staff of that location. Thirty days after receiving all laboratory results, any elevated results must be posted on the school’s website.

Results:

Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary - 4/7/22, 6/1/22

Esperanza Middle School - 5/4/22

Evergreen Elementary School - 5/4/22, 8/10/22

Green Holly Elementary School - 5/2/22, 6/20/22

Greenview Knolls Elementary School - East (5/26/22), West (5/26/22)

Great Mills High School - 5/23/22, 6/20/22

George Washington Carver Elementary School - 5/13/22, 6/20/22

Leonardtown Elementary School - (A - 6/1/22, B - 6/1/22, C - 6/1/22), 6/20/22

Lexington Park Elementary School - 5/31/22, 6/20/22

Park Hall Elementary School - 5/12/22, 6/20/22

Town Creek Elementary School - 5/26/22, 6/20/22

Virtual Academy - 5/19/22