State of Maryland Lifts Standing Health Advisory Related to Cryptosporidium

The County's DPW remains committed to ensuring the safety of Howard County's public water system. Since the County was notified of the low levels of Cryptosporidium discovered by Baltimore City's DPW in its Druid Lake Reservoir, the Bureau began sampling the County's water system for Cryptosporidium and Giardia (like Cryptosporidium, Giardia is a tiny parasite that causes diarrheal disease and can be found in water that has been contaminated with feces from infected people or animals). 

The County's DPW will continue to conduct weekly testing of our public water system to confirm the quality of our water through December. Each of these test results can be found below.

• September 28, 2023
• September 28, 2023
• October 3, 2023
• October 10, 2023
• October 17, 2023
• October 23, 2023 - Route 40 Sample
• October 23, 2023 - Elkridge WPS Sample
• October 30, 2023
• November 6, 2023
• November 13, 2023
• November 20, 2023
• November 27, 2023
• December 4, 2023
• December 11, 2023
• December 18, 2023

Question: My dog, cat, hamster, my pet has been drinking the water, will it harm them?  
Answer: A variety of animals, including dogs and cats can get infected with cryptosporidiosis. This disease is caused by the ingestion of the parasite through contaminated water, food or feces. While Cryptosporidium infection in dogs and cats is rare, when infected, pets can carry the parasite without showing any signs of illness. However, dogs affected by the parasite typically have diarrhea. If you suspect your pet is ill with Cryptosporidiosis, please seek medical care from a veterinarian. Also, always pick up your pet’s waste using a disposable bag and throw it in the garbage and wash your hands with soap and water after contact with or cleaning up after your pet.

Question: Is it OK to use the water to rinse off fruit and vegetables?
Answer: The risk to the general population is small. However, low levels of cryptosporidium can cause serious illness in people who have weakened immune systems. Those with weakened immune systems should contact their medical provider and consider taking the following actions, including using boiled water or filtered water to rinse fruits and vegetables:

• Drink bottled water 
• Boil tap water for one minute before consuming
• 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.

Question: Can I use the water to make ice or do I have to boil it first?
Answer: Those with weakened immune systems should contact their medical provider and consider taking the following actions, including using boiled water or filtered water to make ice:

• Drink bottled water 
• Boil tap water for one minute before consuming
• 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.

Question: Can you absorb crypto through your skin while taking a shower or a bath?
Answer: No, however, those with weakened immune systems should not ingest the water while taking a bath or shower.

Question: How do I know if I’m immunocompromised? Can you be more specific?
Answer: Examples of persons with weakened immune systems include those with: HIV/AIDS; cancer and transplant patients who are taking certain immunosuppressive drugs; and those with inherited diseases that affect the immune system (e.g., congenital agammaglobulinemia, congenital IgA deficiency). The risk of developing severe disease may differ depending on each person’s degree of immune suppression. Individuals should consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether your medical condition makes it advisable to follow all of these recommendations.

Question: I’m calling from a dentist’s office. Can we use the water in our procedures?
Answer: The risk to the general population is small; however, low levels of Cryptosporidium can cause serious illness in people who have weakened immune systems. Those with weakened immune systems should contact their medical provider and consider taking the following actions, including using boiled water or filtered water for oral/dental procedures: 

• Drink bottled water 
• Boil tap water for one minute before consuming
• 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.

Question: I work in an office. Can we use the water fountains?
Answer: Those with weakened immune systems should contact their medical provider and consider taking the following actions, including drinking boiled water or filtered water while at work:

• Drink bottled water 
• Boil tap water for one minute before consuming
• 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.

Question: You say the test results came back negative, yet you’re still telling people to boil water or use bottled water. That seems contradictory. What’s the story?
Answer: Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) has ownership of both Druid Lake and Ashburton reservoirs. As a result of modifications to the Administrative Order on consent between Howard County and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Baltimore City DPW is now required to conduct monthly testing for Cryptosporidium and Giardia at these reservoirs. Due to a recent positive reading, both Baltimore City and Howard County DPWs have decided to enhance their monitoring efforts and will now conduct weekly through December. This precautionary measure is in place to ensure the safety of immunocompromised individuals. However, it is advised individuals with a weakened immune systems continue using boiled water or bottled water to safeguard against the possibility of one test returning a positive result.

Question: How long will this be an issue?
Answer: Druid Lake and Ashburton reservoirs, where parts of Howard County receive their water supply, are owned by Baltimore City. Baltimore City DPW has been working on a project to construct massive underground tanks at Druid Lake and Ashburton to protect the City’s treated water supply. Work on these projects has unfortunately been subject to unavoidable and extensive delays due to unforgiving site conditions, weather, supply and worker shortages caused by the COVID 19 pandemic and supply chain delays. That said, the work is expected to be completed by the end of 2023 (November 30th for Ashburton and December 30th for Druid Lake), in compliance with the timeline agreed on by the City and EPA, under a modified Administrative Order of Consent. The completion of these projects will add additional safeguards to the City’s treated drinking water supply from Cryptosporidium and other contaminants. 

For additional frequently asked questions, please see Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works FAQ webpage.