Drinking water contaminated with exceeded levels of certain chemicals at eight Frederick County Public Schools revealed in recent testing from Maryland Department of the Environment. The recent testing that was conducted displayed that the eight public schools had chemical contaminants in the drinking water that surpassed safe levels stated by the new United States Environmental Protection Agency limits as of April 2024.
Brandon Oland, the Frederick County Public Schools spokesperson, released an email on Sept. 4 to confirm that all staff, students and families at the eight schools were notified of the test results. These schools include: Linganore High School, Green Valley Elementary School, Liberty Elementary School, Valley Elementary School, Lewistown Elementary School, Kemptown Elementary School, Wolfsville Elementary School and New Midway Elementary School.
The drinking water testing occurred at all FCPS facilities that are served by wells due to the new limits set on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) approved by the EPA in April 2024. PFAS are a large group of synthetic chemicals that are commonly found in consumer products, such as cleaning products, flame retardants and nonstick cookware. As claimed by the EPA, exposure to increased levels of PFAS can lead to a higher risk of kidney, prostate and testicular cancer, decreased immune response and reproductive or hormonal issues. Specifically in children, exposure can be linked to developmental complications, including low birth weight, early puberty, bone variations and behavioral changes.
According to Frederick’s annual drinking water quality report from 2023, there were detections of a few contaminants in the city water. However, all the contaminants that were regulated were below the compliance levels and maintained a safe and controlled level. The report continues to state, “All drinking water…may contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk.” Any detection of contaminants in a small amount is not a health concern. Although, the amount detected within the drinking water in the eight Frederick County public schools did flag. As it isn’t suitable for consumption, it can still be used for other non-consumption purposes, such as washing hands.
Since the alert was notified to the schools, the district has been working towards reducing the exposure of PFAS amongst the students and staff. Linganore High School, Liberty Elementary School, New Midway Elementary School and Green Valley Elementary School turned off their water fixtures on Aug. 30 and began providing purified drinking water through water coolers. Lewistown, Kemptown and Valley Elementary Schools made bottled water available as needed. Only one of the two wells used by Wolfsville Elementary School had exceeded levels of PFAS, so the affected well was shut off on Aug. 16 as the unaffected well has still been in use.
FCPS addressed the matter by stating they would “continue to monitor and retest our well water and respond in accordance with recommendations from the MDE and the [EPA]” as well as work on developing long term solutions on the issue. In an email, MDE Spokesperson Jay Apperson specified that the testing was for educational facilities that use their own wells and not a larger water utility. The agency conducting the testing is continuing to receive data, meaning that the number of affected educational facilities holds the potential of increasing. Apperson continued to write, “We will continue to work in partnership with other agencies and local governments on testing, fixing problems and helping to fund the needed improvements.”
Sources:
htmlhttps://www.cityoffrederickmd.gov/DocumentCenter/View/347/Water-Quality-Report?bidId=
