For immediate release: October 3, 2007 (07-167)

Contacts:
Jeff Smith, Communications Office 360-236-4072
Sue Haskin, Tumwater School District 360-709-7000
Erling Birkland, Yelm School District 360-458-6128

OLYMPIA ¾ Lab results received today confirm that the water at East Olympia Elementary School is safe to drink.

Students and staff had been using bottled water since last Thursday, when E. coli was detected in a routine water sample. The school at 8700 Rich Road N.E, is in the Tumwater School District.

The bottled water advisory was confined to the school and did not affect nearby homes or other schools in the district.

"Our staff has worked very hard to quickly resolve problems with the school's reservoir," said Sue Haskin, director of community relations for the Tumwater School District. "We want to reassure our school family that the water is safe to drink and that protecting the health and safety of students is job one for Tumwater schools."

Another Thurston County school, Lackamas Elementary, is still providing bottled water for students and staff. Total coliform bacteria were found in the school’s water last Wednesday, but there was no sign of E. coli bacteria. Work is progressing on disinfecting two water holding tanks at the school and should be finished in about a week.

Both schools get their water from private wells. The water problems were identified through 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 notice any symptoms of gastrointestinal illness in children who attend either school, they should consult their health care provider.

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