In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced finalized regulations for per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. All public water systems under these regulations will be required to begin monitoring for PFAS by 2027 with requirements to be in full compliance by 2029. To help our BCPS water systems prepare for these new regulations, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) began sampling our water system sources in July 2024, to assess any PFAS contamination that may be in our water. All notifications of results are posted below.
Compliance with these new rules applies to sites where BCPS maintains and operates well water systems at the following 9 school locations: Hereford High School, Hereford Middle School, Carroll Manor Elementary School, Fifth District Elementary School, Jacksonville Elementary School, Kingsville Elementary School, Prettyboy Elementary School, Seventh District Elementary School, and Sparks Elementary School.
All other school and office locations receive water from the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW). Baltimore City DPW is responsible for compliance with these new regulations as they apply to their served municipalities.
PFAS in the Environment
PFAS are manmade chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. Because these chemicals have been used in numerous consumer products and industrial applications for decades, most people have been exposed to them throughout their lifetime. When these products are used, spilled, or disposed of, PFAS can get into the ground or water. These compounds are considered “forever chemicals” because they are very persistent in the environment and do not breakdown.
For more information about PFAS in BCPS, please contact BCPS Environmental Services Senior Operations Supervisor,
Brendan Richardson, 443-809-6310.
For more information:
Maryland and PFAS from Maryland Department of the Environment
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and Your Health from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
PFAS in the US Population from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
PFAS Explained from the US Environmental Protection Agency
Meaningful and Achievable Steps You Can Take to Reduce Your Risk from the US Environmental Protection Agency
PFAS in Private Drinking Water Wells from Maryland Department of the Environment