Goodrich- Bottles of water were back in the schools again as of April 3, due to a repeat of the high levels of arsenic the district dealt with previously.
According to a special announcement posted on the school’s website last week and signed by director of special services Brian Walton:
‘Water samples taken from Goodrich High School’s water system detected arsenic at a concentration that exceeds the standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL), set forth by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, (USEPA). Under the provision of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 1976 PA 399, and rules as amended, the USEPA has set the MCL for arsenic at 10 parts per billion, ppb. The annual running average of the arsenic concentration detected at this facility is 11.5 ppb.?
Walton said the issue stemmed from varying water levels in the school’s aquifers. He said now that the issue has been identified, it has been addressed, with students expected to resume using drinking fountains soon after the April 18 deadline.
‘The problem has to do with the groundwater because the change in the level in the aquifer changes the level in the groundwater,? said Walton.
At the April 16 meeting of the Goodrich Area Schools Board of Education, Walton addressed the issue for parents, board members and administrators.
‘We sit on an aquifer that stretches over quite an extensive area underground, including Lake Fenton,? said Walton.
Lake Fenton Community Schools reported similar problems with their own filtration system earlier this month. Both Goodrich and Lake Fenton school districts purchased their filtration systems from Sunshine Water Systems of Linden. Representatives from the company did not respond to email and phone requests for comment.
Walton said representatives from Sunshine Water Systems had been to the school several times since the issue arose. Recalibration of the system began April 3, Walton added.
‘It’s not a failure of the system mechanically, it’s a change in the groundwater,? said Walton.
The situation was brought to the school’s attention by the state, who had been gathering data at several such sites, said Walton.
Following the news, said Walton, the system was recalibrated taking into account the changing levels in the aquifer.
The school previously experienced problems with arsenic levels in November of 2005, prompting school officials to provide bottled drinking water. At that time the bottled water cost the district about $275 for a 10 day supply.
At a cost of $91,350, the Goodrich School Board OK’d Sunshine Water Systems to provide and install a filtration system on drinking water supplies. The system filters out arsenic at the point of entry’with large tanks filtering water near the point at which pipes enter a structure’s walls.
Major sources of arsenic in drinking water may occur from erosion of natural deposits; runoff from orchards; or runoff from glass and electronics production wastes. Immediate adverse health effects are not expected, however some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the maximum contaminant level over many years could experience skin damage or problems with their circulatory system, and may have increased risk of getting cancer.
‘Under the direction of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality we will be replacing the chlorine injection system. This repair should be completed on Wednesday April 4, 2007. Testing to confirm an acceptable level of arsenic will be conducted during the holiday break,? said Walton in the letter.
Additionally, the statement read, ‘Drinking the water is not recommended, although it is safe to use the water for cleaning, washing and showering. Arsenic must be ingested to have a carcinogenic effect. Bottled water will be available in the high school building beginning April 3, 2007, continuing until the water tests within the acceptable limits.?