Students returned to Summit Township Elementary School in Butler County Thursday after tests on the well water used at the school showed dangerous amounts of lead and forced the district to close the school for two days.
According to updates posted on the Butler Area School District’s website, portable hand washing sinks were installed through the elementary school on Wednesday and were then filled with outside water. Bottled water will be given out to the students for free.
On Tuesday, procedures were set concerning food preparation and cleanup at the school. Municipal water will be used for cleaning and sanitizing the equipment, such as lunch tables and countertops. The kitchen staff will use bottled water for washing hands in the kitchen.
The district says it’s also working closely with Butler Health System to finalize the contract to provide free lead testing for students and staff.
According to the district, representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection visited Summit Elementary on Wednesday in order to meet with district officials and familiarize themselves with the building. The district response team- headed by retired Mars Area School District Superintendent Dr. William Pettigrew- met the representatives at the site. Dr. Pettigrew was named Chairman of the response team, which will be responsible for implementing a corrective action plan for the school.
Late last week, the district announced that tests of the school’s water in August showed dangerous concentrations of lead. Students were given bottled water for two days but then told the well water was safe, though tests showed otherwise.
Click here to view the district’s updates on the situation.
Written By: Kayla Molczan for the Butler Radio Network
Photo Credit: Butler Area School District
