Latest Announcements
Date: May 3, 2024
This email outreach was sent to notify all schools that one of MDE forms have been updated and that all schools should use the updated form moving forward (when schools have completed remediation of their outlets).
Date: March 1, 2024
This email outreach was sent to notify all schools of virtual video viewing and live Q&A sessions related to the training videos developed by MDE to help guide school personnel through the process of conducting testing for lead in drinking water as required at applicable schools under Maryland law.
Date: December 8, 2023
This email outreach was sent to notify all schools that MDE has developed several videos to help guide school personnel through the process of conducting testing for lead in drinking water as required at applicable schools under Maryland law. The videos cover various aspects of the testing process, including planning and preparation, sample collection, documentation and reporting, parent/guardian notification, and actions required if elevated levels of lead are discovered in drinking water outlets.
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As of August 1, 2023, MDE has received and verified a total of 79,746 first-draw lead sample results from 24 public school systems, 247 nonpublic schools, and 17 charter schools.
Of the 79,746 first-draw lead samples, 3,720 (4.66%) samples exceeded 20 ppb (i.e., previous Action Level effective through May 31, 2021): 1,788 (2.24%) were from drinking water outlets (i.e., consumption outlets), 1,931 (2.42%) 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 79,746 first-draw lead samples, 12,452 (15.61%) samples exceeded 5 ppb (i.e., current Action Level effective June 1, 2021): 7,634 (9.57%) were from drinking water outlets (i.e., consumption outlets), 4,816 (6.04%) 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 First-Draw Sample Results for Charter Schools
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Deferrals of Initial Testing
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.
It is important to note that schools can no longer apply to defer the initial testing since all of the initial testing deadlines have passed.
Summary of Deferrals -- Update in progress
Waivers
As of August 1, 2023, 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 Waivers -- Update in progress
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Period ending July 1, 2022
Period ending July 1, 2021
Period ending July 1, 2020
Period ending July 1, 2019
Period ending July 1, 2018
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