UPDATE: On Tuesday, October 3, the Baltimore City Department of Public Works announced that the latest test samples found no traces of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the Druid Lake Reservoir.
DPW says although the water remains safe for the public to consume, people with a severely weakened immune system should continue to:
- Drink bottled water, OR
- Boil water for one minute before consuming, OR
- Filter tap water using a filter labeled to ANSI/NSF 53 or 58 standards, or a filter designed to remove objects 1 micron or larger. These may be labeled “absolute 1 micron.” (i.e., not Brita-type filters)
DPW is continuing their work on the two remaining uncovered finished water reservoirs at Druid Lake and Ashburton by the end of the year.
Underground tanks are being built to protect the treated water supply at Druid Lake and Ashburton.
Although the work has been subject to delays, it is scheduled to be completed on Druid Lake on December 30, 2023, and on Ashburton on November 30, 2023.
DPW is doing the following to make sure the public stays informed:
- Continued Monitoring for Cryptosporidium - DPW has committed to sampling for Cryptosporidium and Giardia at the Ashburton and Druid Lake Reservoirs on a weekly basis. Each of these test results will be posted on the DPW website. Weekly testing for the finished drinking water reservoirs started the week of October 2, 2023.
- Public Notification DPW - will continue to notify the public of all detections through press releases to local media, social media posts, email notifications, and other avenues. DPW will also continue to coordinate with the Baltimore City Department of Health to reach facilities that serve people who may be at higher risk of more serious disease.
- Public Health Coordination - DPW will continue to collaborate with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) on public notification guidelines and to ensure that the message of water safety is clearly communicated to the public.
ORIGINAL STORY: Multiple counties within Baltimore's regional water system are impacted after low levels of the microscopic parasite Cryptosporidium were detected.
Commonly found in lakes and rivers, Cryptosporidium can potentially cause gastrointestinal problems, especially in elderly people, children, or the immunocompromised.
Routine testing was conducted September 19 from the Druid Lake Reservoir, with results revealed September 26.
Right now areas affected include Elkridge in Howard County to Sparks in Baltimore County, between Perry Hall and Baltimore City's Hampden neighborhood.
Although only low-risk is involved, residents in those areas can either drink bottled water, boil tap water for one minute before consuming, or use a filter.
Howard County announced Friday that a water station will be available in the main parking lot of Elkridge 50+ Senior Center. The station will be available from Saturday to Sunday, October 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Howard County says the center will not be open, but staff will be available to assist if needed. Residents are required to bring their own containers.
The Department of Public Works also noted that Cryptosporidium is not affecting source water, which is obtained from the Liberty, Loch Raven, and Prettyboy reservoirs, and Susquehanna River during droughts.
Further testing is expected in the coming days.
DPW has initiated bottled water delivery to senior citizens, senior buildings, nursing homes and assisted living facilities with 20 or more residents that are in the impacted areas within Baltimore City.
Also, DPW has released a website to answer the most commonly asked questions in regard to this matter.
