January 10, 2017

VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL, scotttaylor@sbgtv.com

Mr. Scott Taylor
Investigative Reporter
ABC 7 News
WJLA TV

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request regarding lead in water fountains

Our File No.: 16-99-0033

Dear Mr. Taylor:

This letter is written in response to your correspondence requesting the following documents
under the Freedom of Information Act:

ABC 7 News would like to request the following under a FOIA request
and we would like an on camera interview with your CEO after
receiving the documents:

1. How many schools have faucets turned off due to lead in the water?
Please provide a list of those schools and the test results for the
faucets turned off?

Response: PGCPS has shut off 88 fountains due to lead in the

water, as detailed on the attached list.

2. When was the last time each schools water was tested and can you
please provide the testing results?

Response: Schools were last tested in 2015. We have enclosed a

copy of lab test results from 2008-2015, as well as a description of
our remediation efforts since 2004.

3. What EPA water quality action level is being used at each school?

Response: PGCPS is currently following the EPA guidelines for

lead in water and using the action level of 15 ppb.

4. How many water fountains are closed off due to lead in the water?

Response: PGCPS has shut off 88 fountains due to lead in the

Prince George's County Public Schools | Office of General Counsel | Demetria T. Tobias, Esquire | Direct: 301-952-6048
14201 SCHOOL LANE, UPPER MARLBORO, MD 20772 Website: www.PGCPS.org Follow Us: @PGCPS, Facebook, YouTube
The GREAT BY CHOICE trademark is owned by The Good to Great Project LLC and Morten T. Hansen. Used under license.
 water, as detailed on the attached list.

5. Have you tested water sources at schools 2016? Please provide those
results?

Response: PGCPS is currently in phase 4 of a remediation plan.

An RFP needs to be submitted to remediate the remaining
classroom water fountains and sinks throughout the system. Once
complete, follow-up clearance sampling will take place. Those
fixtures that test above EPA recommended levels will be taken out
of service. Despite the delay in completing Phase IV, our staff has
addressed any problem spots found and are working to secure
funding to complete this phase.

6. When were high levels in the water discovered and when were
Parents notified? Please provide copies of those documents used to
alert Parents.

Response: A copy is attached of a letter sent to Glenridge

Elementary School parents in October 2016. No other written
notification was sent to families about the lead levels found in the
schools from the central office.

If you have further questions regarding this response, please contact this office.

Very truly yours,

Demetria T. Tobias
Associate General Counsel
DTT/khr

cc: Kevin M. Maxwell, Ph.D.

W. Wesley Watts, Jr., Ed.D.
Mr. Sam Stefanelli
Ms. Elizabeth Davis
Mr. Alex Baylor
Ms. Raven Hill
Mr. Christian Rhodes
Shauna Battle, Esquire