Water Quality Reports

CCPS will test water at all school fountains, ice machines, cafeteria sinks and any other outlets typically used to dispense drinking or cooking water.

Testing will not be conducted on faucets intended for hand washing, cleaning or other non-drinking purposes, such as those in utility rooms, restrooms, related arts classrooms (art, technology education and music) or science classrooms. Skin does not readily absorb lead in water; therefore, even if lead were present, handwashing does not represent a health risk even when hands have minor cuts or scrapes.

CCPS will place mandated signage issued by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) that indicates the outlet is not to be used for drinking, but only for hand washing. The sign simply indicates that a particular faucet has not been sampled, and does not indicate that a particular water supply is, or suspected of, lead contamination.

CCPS plans to complete the sampling by June 30, 2022. The regulation requires staff to conduct sampling during the regular school year, while school is in session. This is done so that the samples will be representative of conditions when staff and students are in the building.

The law sets an action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb) for lead. If an outlet exceeds this level, the outlet must be closed and remedial actions initiated. CCPS would conduct more sampling after it completes remedial actions.

The fixture is not returned to service until post-remediation testing confirms the corrective actions lowered the test results below the action level.

The regulation requires notification of elevated levels of lead within 10 days of receiving the laboratory report. The school must provide a written notice to staff and parents. CCPS would promptly notify staff, the community, MDE, Maryland State Department of Education and the Charles County Department of Health of results that indicate the presence of lead exceeding 20 ppb.

CCPS would issue a second notification once all remedial actions are complete and have been confirmed through follow-up sampling.

All test results will be accessible on the school system website within 30 days after the report is received. Results will be reported to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Charles County Health Department.

If levels require action, a flush sample (water taken after sitting for at least eight hours) is collected and the outlet is shut off within 24 hours of CCPS receiving results. CCPS will perform remediation on fixtures of the specific outlets. Within 30 days after the report is received of elevated samples, results will be reported to the Maryland Department of Health.