Student feedback suggest that a lot of students avoid drinking the school water altogether. In many cases, children who forget to bring water from home end up going the entire day without proper hydration. This isn’t just a preference—it’s a basic health necessity.
Clean, safe drinking water should be a given in every school. We respectfully urge the county to investigate this issue, conduct updated water quality testing, and ensure immediate action is taken if any safety thresholds are exceeded.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter.
Identify deficiencies that may impact IEQ and/or sources of odor concerns. Typically includes the following depending on the nature of concern, but not limited to:
- interview/questionnaire of concern individual(s)
- inspection above drop ceiling (condition of roof deck, pipe insulation, return air plenum)
- inspection of ventilation system (operation of variable air volume box and outdoor air dampers, check controls, measurements of carbon dioxide, temperature and relative humidity, sources near outdoor air intake, measure return and supply air volume, cleanliness of coils, liner and condensate pan)
- inspection of exterior
- inspection below drop ceiling (housekeeping, sink and floor drain traps, signs of past and present moisture concern via visual and/or moisture meter, mold growth, ensure connection of current and capping of abandoned sanitary vents, odorizers, excessive plants and fabric items, identify potential pathways, and measure volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, and lighting)
Taste/Odor
The Office of the Environment visited Fulton Elementary and Lime Kiln Middle to perform sensory checks (taste/odor/clarity) at various water fountains at each school. No abnormalities were identifed.
The Office of the Environment requested the Howard County Department of Public Works (DPW) assist with the concern as the water supplied to the Fulton Campus is supplied by a public utility.
The Howard County DPW visited the site on July 11, 2025 and reported the following:
- Sensory checks were performed (taste/odor). No abnormalities were identifed.
- Chlorine and pH levels were found to be in compliance with Maryland Department of the Environment regulatory standards.
Lead
The Howard County Public School System is required by the State of Maryland to sample fixtures used for consumption for lead (three-year cycle). Any fixtures containing lead above the State Action Level of five parts per billion (ppb) are turned off. The fixtures are not turned back on for consumption until they have been remediated and a confirmatory sample indicates lead concentrations below five ppb. The latest results can be found by visiting https://ieq.hcpss.org/facilities and clicking the facility.