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For immediate release: September 17, 2004 (04-111)
Contacts:
Bob James, Office of Drinking Water
253-395-6768
Dr. Gary Wall, Mount Baker School District 360-383-2000, Ext. 5
Kate Lynch, Department of Health Communications Office 360-236-4072 Pager: 360-786-3916
Tap water in Kendall Elementary School unsafe to drink
Kendall ¾ Officials for Kendall Elementary School have advised all students and staff to not consume the tap water and are providing bottled water at the school after recent samples showed the presence of E. coli bacteria. E. coli can cause diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating, gas, fatigue, weight loss, nausea, vomiting and/or fever.
Water for Kendall Elementary School, which is located in rural north central Whatcom County, is provided by its own well, which serves 640 school children and staff. The school is part of Mount Baker School District #507. Food for the school’s cafeteria is being prepared off site and brought to the school to avoid possible contamination.
Mount Baker School District officials are working closely with the state Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water and the Whatcom County Health Department to inform students, parents, and staff of the health advisory and to take precautions to protect their health.
"Keeping our students and staff healthy while at school is our top priority. We are doing all we can to eliminate the bacteria from the water system and restore safe and reliable drinking water to the school. Our maintenance department does a fantastic job and I am confident that they will fix the problem quickly," said Dr. Richard Gantman, Superintendent of Mount Baker School District.
Most E. coli are harmless and are found in the intestines of people and warm-blooded animals. Some strains, however, may cause illness. The presence of E. coli in a drinking water sample almost always indicates recent fecal contamination – meaning that there is a greater risk that bacteria that could cause illness are present. Boiling or treating contaminated drinking water with a disinfectant destroys all forms of E. coli.
Health department staff members have inspected the facility and the school’s maintenance employees have disinfected the water system. There have been no reported illnesses related to the school’s drinking water.
If parents observe any symptoms of illness in children that attend the school, they are encouraged to consult their health-care provider. Additional health information may be available from the Whatcom County Health Department at 360-676-6724. The Mount Baker School District superintendent’s office can be contacted at 360-383-2000, ext. 5.
All water systems are required to test water for the presence of coliform bacteria (which includes E. coli) on a regular basis. A system the size of Kendall Elementary School is required to take one sample every month. Follow-up water samples will be tested for bacteria early next week. The advisory will remain in effect until the school district, state and local health officials are confident there is no longer a risk of illness to the students. Once satisfactory results are reported, students and staff will be notified that the advisory has been lifted.
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