Contaminated School Water Prompts Warning From County, Education Officials: Report

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Students at Harford Technical and Fallston High School are being asked to take their own refillable water bottles to school and not drink water from school facilities after alarming levels of PFAS were found in the water.

The Maryland Department of the Environment discovered the high levels during routine countywide testing of school water, The Aegis reported. PFAS, which stands for polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s in products such as cleaning products, paints, food packaging and fire-fighting foams. They do not break down naturally.

While students can wash their hands with the water, for example, the school will be providing bottled water to students in the meantime. Water dispensers will be used when preparing food for the students out of the school kitchens, The Aegis reported. Student athletes currently practicing should bring refillable water bottles and refilling stations will be set up for them, school officials noted.

“Any other schools who test above acceptable levels and above acceptable consuming levels will also be informed before students return to school,” Harford Schools Manager of Communications Jillian Lader told The Aegis.