Building water cleared as safe
Students at Raymond Elementary School are once again being permitted to drink from building water supplies.
“Late last week, we received official confirmation that Raymond Elementary can resume normal use of water, which includes consumption and preparation of food, due to antimony not being detected in the multiple samples tested by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in September,” According to a letter from Raymond Elementary School Principal Carol Lentz.
In the letter, sent Monday to Raymond families, Lentz said that given the negative tests and the go-ahead from EPA, “Raymond Elementary will resume utilizing water for drinking and food preparation beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 24.”
Officials said students are still welcome to bring their own bottles of water to school.
Earlier this month, the EPA contacted Marysville Schools about the water supply at Raymond Elementary School. Health officials said the building’s drinking had tested positive for unhealthy, elevated levels of antimony, a rare but a natural occurring element. District officials were told not to allow the students to ingest the water or even to cook with it. All water fountains in the building, even those in individual classrooms were disabled.
The results were attached to a pair of water samples taken in late August.
EPA and district officials took additional samples from around the building and began looking for the source of the antimony. As part of their investigation, EPA officials also retested the August samples.
“After retesting and analyzing these samples, the results were negative for antimony,” Lentz wrote.
Lentz added, “both water tests taken by the EPA in September were negative for antimony.”
She said the EPA is continuing its investigation into why there was a discrepancy in the tests.
“Pending the outcome of the continued investigation by the EPA, Raymond Elementary may be required to be on increased quarterly antimony monitoring,” Lentz wrote.
The EPA tests for antimony every three years. Officials said there was no antimony when the building’s water was tested in 2016.
When the district received the initial positive tests, district officials closed the building for a day while they worked through a plan to provide safe water for students and staff. Water stations were provided for students and large containers of water for the kitchen staff. The water was always safe for cleaning, washing hands or cleaning dishes.
Earlier, district officials said they would host a public gathering, “when test results are complete and more information is available from the EPA.”
Lentz said that based on, “the information at hand, we will not be holding a parent meeting.”
Parents with questions or wanting more information are being asked to call Raymond Elementary School Principal Carol Lentz at (937) 578-7200.