For immediate release: September 26, 2007 (07-160)

Contacts:
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072

Dr. Sue Haskin, Tumwater School District 360-709-7000
Erling Birkland, Yelm School District 360-458-6128

Water issues confirmed at two Thurston County schools

OLYMPIA ¾ In unrelated cases, two elementary schools in Thurston County are temporarily providing bottled water for students and staff as they address problems with their water supplies.

East Olympia Elementary School in the Tumwater School District learned today that E. coli bacteria were confirmed in water lines supplying some of the school’s classrooms. Total coliform bacteria were in all of the areas sampled.

On Tuesday, Lackamas Elementary School in rural southeastern Thurston County discovered total coliform bacteria in its water. No E. coli was found in the water supply at Lackamas School.

Both water issues were identified as a result of routine water quality testing required by the state Department of Health. Total coliforms are harmless bacteria that naturally occur in the environment and may indicate that other contaminants have entered the water. E. coli bacteria mean fecal matter is present in the water.

There have been no reports of illnesses related to the water at either school. However, if parents see symptoms of gastrointestinal illness in their children, they should consult a health care provider.

“Keeping our students and staff healthy at school is our top priority,” said Dr. Sue Haskin, director of community relations for the Tumwater School District. “Our focus now is to resolve this issue and ensure that safe drinking water is provided to our school’s students and staff.”

The Department of Health is working closely with both schools to identify the source of contamination and restore water quality to safe standards. Both schools have turned off water fountains and sent letters to families notifying them of the situation. Bottled water will continue to be provided at each school until the problems are resolved. No other schools or nearby homes in either district are affected.

The agency’s Office of Drinking Water sent staff to East Olympia Elementary today to inspect the water system. The school’s reservoir was identified as the likely source of contamination. The school district is disinfecting and cleaning the water system.

The Yelm School District is cleaning and disinfecting the water storage tanks at Lackamas Elementary and testing the well that supplies water to the school. The district expects the process to take about two weeks.

“We had a plan in place for situations such as this, and we were well-prepared to quickly address the problem,” said Erling Birkland, facilities director for the Yelm School District. “We want to assure families that we’re doing everything we can to restore a safe water supply to the school.”

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