Following tests that indicated a parasite at the Druid Lake Reservoir, some residents of certain areas of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and Howard County have been advised to think about taking safeguards with their tap water.

On September 19, testing revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium. According to the Baltimore City Department of Public Works, “low levels” of the parasite were found, but the water is still safe for consumption by most people.

The results from the water sample, which revealed the bacteria contamination, were reported by an outside lab on September 26, according to officials.

What Is the Parasite?

“We know that Cryptosporidium infections can cause diarrhea, can cause a lot of GI upset, can cause vomiting, can occasionally cause fever,” said Tamara Green, Chief Medical Officer at the Baltimore City Health Department, during a virtual press conference on Thursday morning.

A Baltimore City DPW representative informed FOX45 on Thursday afternoon that “there are 84,549 Baltimore City water accounts and 59,667 Baltimore County water accounts are impacted by the Cryptosporidium notification.” A total of 570,557 people are affected.

Cryptosporidium, a waterborne parasite, is commonly found in contaminated water and food and has prompted widespread concern among local communities.

The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, commonly known as a cryptosporidium infection, include fever, nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The parasite is spread through ingesting contaminated food or water or coming into contact with infected people. To stop further transmission, experts everywhere stress the value of proper hygiene practices like complete handwashing and staying away from untreated water sources.

Is It Safe for Me?

According to the DPW, the levels of Cryptosporidium detected suggest a low risk for the general population. This means that for most people, the water is safe to drink.

However, certain vulnerable groups need to take precautions. These include individuals with inherited immune system disorders, those with HIV/AIDS, cancer and transplant patients using specific immunosuppressive drugs, elderly individuals, and children.

What Should I Do?

If you fall into one of these vulnerable categories, it's advised to:

• Drink bottled water.
• Boil tap water for one minute before consuming.
• Use a filter specifically labeled to ANSI/NSF 53 or 58 standards or a filter designed to remove particles of 1 micron or larger. Filters labeled as “absolute 1 micron” qualify; these are not the same as Brita-type filters.

What's the Next Step?

Unfortunately, Cryptosporidium is highly resistant to chlorine. So, secondary treatment methods are unlikely to reduce their levels, as stated by the DPW, significantly.

The agency plans to increase the frequency of sampling for the parasite at Baltimore's finished water reservoirs until it is no longer detectable. They will keep the public informed about the results of these tests.

The Towson, Parkville, and Cockeysville regions, as well as a large portion of west and north Baltimore City, are all included in the affected area. Elkridge in sections of Howard County might be impacted.

According to DPW representatives, samples were taken on September 19, and test results were available on September 26.

The organization said that their monthly water testing for Cryptosporidium was negative in August.

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