Announcements​

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Dear School Representative:

Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Water Supply Program (WSP) 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. In an effort to increase understanding of the lead in drinking water testing process, MDE will be hosting virtual video viewing and live Q&A forums for school personnel.

In our video viewing and live Q&A session, MDE will be focusing on the following videos: 

• How to Collect Lead in Drinking Water Samples 

• Steps to Take After Receiving An Elevated Lead in Drinking Water Result

• Creating Your School’s Floor Plan 

• Certification of Elevated Lead Sample Result(s) Notice and Notice of Elevated Lead Sample Results  

The sessions featuring the How to Collect Lead in Drinking Water Samples video will be taking place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 18th, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

• Thursday, March 27th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

The sessions featuring the Steps to Take After Receiving An Elevated Lead in Drinking Water Result video AND Certification of Elevated Lead Sample Result(s) Notice and Notice of Elevated Lead Sample Results video (combined session) will be taking place on the following dates:

• Tuesday, March 18th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• Tuesday March 25th, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The sessions featuring the Creating Your School’s Floor Plan video will be taking place on the following dates:

• Thursday, March 20th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

• Tuesday March 25th, 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

MDE strongly recommends that all individuals involved in testing for lead in drinking water in schools attend these information sessions to understand Maryland’s specific testing requirements. These individuals include, but are not limited to:

• School personnel who are new to the responsibility of testing drinking water for lead;

• Those who may need a ‘quick refresher’;

• Any third party hired by your school to assist with the testing process and/or the reporting of the test results.

Sign up using the registration link below:

https://forms.gle/KPkEQyRiAnNcT4n67

***The last day to register for the Spring 2025 training is Monday, March 17th, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST.***

Please note that MDE is sending this email with the registration link directly to school representatives, who are encouraged to share this information with all appropriate persons. Such people may include, but are not limited to, individuals involved with the testing process and/or the reporting of the test results (e.g., school personnel and/or third parties hired by your school, etc.). The link to access your registered informational session will be sent the day prior to your meeting date. 

The WSP sincerely appreciates the efforts of school personnel to maintain safe drinking water in schools. As always, if there are any questions, comments, or concerns, please feel free to contact the WSP’s Lead and Copper in Drinking Water Division via email at Reporting.LeadSchoolWater@maryland.gov or by calling 410-537-3729.

This email is being sent to Maryland schools that, per MDE's records, (i) receive their drinking water from public utilities and serve children in any grades between pre-kindergarten and grade 12, and (ii) do not have waivers from future testing granted (by MDE, in consultation with MSDE) for all their school buildings. If you believe you and/or your school is receiving this email in error please contact our division via email at Reporting.LeadSchoolWater@maryland.gov or by calling 410-537-3729.

We hope you join us for these informational sessions regarding MDE’s training videos.

Thank You!