Important Information for Schools Testing During the 2020-2021 School Year
Maryland’s regulations require schools to test for the presence of lead in all drinking water outlets on a State-established three-year cycle, unless a waiver from future testing has been granted. Since testing is required to be conducted when schools are in regular session, closures and capacity reductions resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic may have disrupted such testing previously planned during the 2020-2021 school year. Click on the links below to find additional information regarding the testing requirements and procedures, and advice about best flushing practices to enhance water quality in school buildings during the 2020-2021 school year:
Schools that plan to test during the 2020-2021 school year should conduct the complete round of standard testing with all samples collected before the end of the testing period (i.e., July 1, 2021) or by the end of the 2020-2021 school year, whichever occurs sooner. The schools have 14 days (from the date of sample collection) to submit samples to a MD-certified laboratory, where the samples must be analyzed within 6 months of preservation. The school shall then report all test results to MDE, MSDE, Maryland Department of Health (MDH), and the appropriate local health department within 30 days of samples being analyzed by the laboratory. This may be accomplished by submitting required reporting documents to testresults.leadschoolwater@maryland.gov.
Guidance on Testing for Lead in Drinking Water and Recommendation on Flushing Outlets in Schools during the 2020-2021 Academic School Year
Flowchart on Testing for Lead in Drinking Water and Recommendation on Flushing Outlets in Schools during the 2020-2021 Academic School Year
School Building Flushing - Links to Guidance
Status of Implementation
Summary of Results
As of January 24, 2022, MDE has received and verified a total of 70,635 first-draw lead sample results from 24 public school systems, 234 nonpublic schools, and 17 charter schools.
Of the 70,635 first-draw lead samples, 3,361 (4.76%) samples exceeded 20 ppb (i.e., previous Action Level effective through May 31, 2021): 1,461 (2.07%) were from drinking water outlets (i.e., consumption outlets), 1,899 (2.69%) were from non-consumption outlets, and 1 (0.001%) was from outlets with unknown use (i.e., a use determination could not yet be made).
Of the 70,635 first-draw lead samples, 10,798 (15.29%) samples exceeded 5 ppb (i.e., current Action Level effective June 1, 2021): 6,131 (8.68%) were from drinking water outlets (i.e., consumption outlets), 4,665 (6.6%) were from non-consumption outlets, and 2 (0.003%) were from outlets with unknown use (i.e., a use determination could not yet be made).
The following tables present the above information in greater detail and will be updated as more data become available.
Summary of First-Draw Sample Results for Public Schools
Summary of First-Draw Sample Results for Nonpublic Schools
Summary of Frist-Draw Sample Results for Charter Schools
Summary of Waivers and Deferrals
MDE has received 706 applications for a twelve-month deferral from initial testing, and, in consultation with MSDE, has granted approval to 702 applications. The remaining 4 applications did not meet the requirements for approval. MDE has received 122 applications for three-year deferrals in initial testing; no three-year deferrals were granted. MDE has received 253 applications for waivers from testing; 61 have been approved, 116 did not meet the strict requirements for approval, and the remaining 76 are under review at this time.
Summary of Deferrals
Summary of Waivers
Annual Report to the Governor and the Maryland General Assembly
Period ending July 1, 2019
Period ending July 1, 2018
Reporting Test Results
When emailing reporting forms, applications, or other documents, please name the forms using the following format: Name of form_name of school
All forms related to test results should be sent to
testresults.leadschoolwater@maryland.gov