Lead in Drinking Water Test Results

Since 2016, BCPS has tested school drinking fountains for lead; beginning in 2018, Maryland law (Chapter 386, 2017) now requires all occupied public schools, serving children in prekindergarten to grade 12, that receive drinking water from a public utility to test for the presence of lead in all drinking water outlets.

Since SY2018-19, overseen by BCPS Environmental Services, trained environmental technicians from BCPS and third-party firms have continued testing water from all identified drinking water sources in all schools. As required, a notification of results analyzed by an independent laboratory is sent home by each school to parents, guardians, and staff. If results exceed the State’s action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb), the fixture will be turned off and replaced. The new fixture will not be available for students or staff to use until follow-up tests show that results do not exceed the State’s action level of 5 parts per billion (ppb).

All distributed notifications are accessible below.

Lead in Water

Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and structures built before 1986.

Lead in the Environment

In Baltimore County, the most common cause of lead poisoning in children is lead paint found in homes built before 1978.  Please remember to keep children away from lead paint and dust, and be mindful of products containing lead, including candy, toys, makeup, and jewelry.

BCPS Schools Supplied by Well Water

Schools that have their own individual well(s) and are already required to test for lead under the federal Lead and Copper Rule are not covered by Maryland law (Chapter 386, 2017). Results from these schools are posted as required in the school’s main office.

For more information about lead in BCPS, please contact BCPS Environmental Services Senior Operations Supervisor, Brendan Richardson, 443-809-6310.

One-Pager about Lead Test Results