MARYLAND LAW - TESTING DRINKING WATER
Under Maryland law*, all public, charter, and nonpublic schools, serving students in Pre-Kindergarten through grade 12, that receive drinking water from a public utility are required to periodically test all their drinking water outlets for the presence of lead in the water on a State-established three-year cycle, unless a waiver† from future testing has been granted. The testing is coordinated by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in consultation with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). To determine whether your school is subject to requirements under Maryland law*, please refer to MDE’s flowchart. The law does NOT apply to schools that have their own individual wells (i.e., non-transient non-community water systems) and are currently testing for lead in the drinking water under the federal Lead and Copper Rule (LCR).
Maryland House Bill 636 (School Buildings - Drinking Water Outlets)
Lead and copper enter drinking water primarily through plumbing materials. Exposure to lead and copper may cause health problems ranging from stomach distress to brain damage.
In 1991, EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water. This regulation is known as the Lead and Copper Rule (also referred to as the LCR). Since 1991 the LCR has undergone various revisions, see the Rule History section below. The treatment technique for the rule requires systems to monitor drinking water at customer taps. If lead concentrations exceed an action level of 5 ppb or copper concentrations exceed an action level of 1.3 ppm in more than 10% of customer taps sampled, the system must undertake a number of additional actions to control corrosion. If the action level for lead is exceeded, the system must also inform the public about steps they should take to protect their health and may have to replace lead service lines under their control.
Important Note Regarding the New Lead Action Level (AL) As of June 1, 2021, the Action Level (AL) for lead in drinking water in schools will be lowered from 20 ppb to 5 ppb. Effective June 1, 2021, any outlets with first-draw sample results exceeding the AL of 5 ppb (i.e., greater than or equal to 5.5 ppb), regardless of when the samples were collected, are subject to the same required actions as stipulated in the regulations for the previous AL of 20 ppb. These actions include closing access to the outlets, collecting flush samples, notifying parents/guardians of currently-enrolled students and current faculty/staff, and taking actions to remediate the outlets.
Maryland.gov- The Lead and Cooper Rule
HEALTH EFFECTS OF LEAD
Lead can cause serious health problems if too much enters your body from drinking water or other sources. It can cause damage to the brain and kidneys, and can interfere with the production of red blood cells that carry oxygen to all parts of your body. The greatest risk of lead exposure is to infants, young children, and pregnant women. Scientists have linked the effects of lead on the brain with lowered IQ in children. Adults with kidney problems and high blood pressure can be affected by low levels of lead more than healthy adults. Lead is stored in the bones and it can be released later in life. During pregnancy, the child receives lead from the mother’s bones, which may affect brain development.
STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO REDUCE EXPOSURE TO LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
Run your water to flush out lead: If water hasn’t been used for several hours, run water for 15 to 30 seconds or until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature before using it for drinking or cooking.
Use cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula: Lead from the plumbing dissolves more easily into hot water.
Look for alternative sources (e.g. bottled water) if lead levels are elevated.
Get your child tested [If applicable i.e. facilities that are schools or day care centers]: Contact your local health department or healthcare provider to find out how you can get your child tested for lead, if you are concerned about exposure.
Please note that boiling the water will not reduce lead levels.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For additional information on reducing lead exposure around your home/building and the health effects of lead, visit EPA’s website at www.epa.gov/lead or contact your health care provider.