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| You are here: DOH Home » News Releases Home » 05-154 |
For immediate release: November 25, 2005 (05-154)
Contacts:
Jim Hudson, Office of Drinking
Water, Dept. of Health 360-236-3131
Erling Birkland, Prairie Elementary 360-458-6128
Tim Tayne, Certified Operator 253-405-0084
Donn Moyer, Communications Office 360-236-4076
Students and staff at Prairie Elementary School (Yelm) advised not to consume the drinking water on campus
OLYMPIA ¾ The Prairie Elementary School in the Yelm School District is advising its teachers, staff and students not to drink water from fountains or taps at the facility. The students and faculty were informed of the situation on Wednesday afternoon. The advisory was a result of test samples that showed the presence of E. coli bacteria. On Friday morning repeat sample results were reported that confirmed the E. coli findings. The school is working with the certified operator, Tim Tayne, to determine and fix the source of contamination. They are keeping the state Department of Health informed as the problem is addressed.
School Facilities Director Erling Birkland said, “We‘re doing all we can to identify and correct this problem. Safe and reliable drinking water is critical to the health and well-being of our staff and students, and responding to this kind of situation is our highest priority.”
No illnesses related to the school’s drinking water have been reported. Tests have shown that water in the well was free of coliform bacteria. An inspection of the water reservoir showed that it could be the source of the problem. The system is being disinfected today with chlorine, which will sit in the lines for a day. The service lines will then be flushed over the weekend and the operator will work on the water reservoir to prevent any contamination from entering the system. The advisory will remain in effect until additional testing shows that the water again meets standards and is safe to drink.
The school has purchased bottled water for the students and staff to use when classes resume on Monday. All drinking water outlets and taps will have posted reminders that the water should not be consumed. The parents will be informed of the situation and what is being done with written notices provided to all students to take home on Monday.
The advisory will remain in effect until the Prairie Elementary School and state health officials are confident there is no longer a threat of illness to staff and students. Once two consecutive sets of satisfactory test results are reported, the staff and students will be notified that the advisory has been lifted.
More information is available by contacting Erling Birkland at 360-458-6128 or Tim Tayne at 253-405-0084.
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