When Central Community Unit School District 301 officials learned last week that 50 percent of four water samples submitted from Central High School tested positive at very low levels for Coliform bacteria, action was taken to ensure the safety of students, staff and teachers.
“The water is tested for bacteria on an annual basis,” said Dan Polowy, the district’s director of facility operations. “The high school has never before tested higher than accepted for total Coliform. There have been no reports of anyone having any ill effects caused by Coliform bacteria.”
A boil order was put in place at the high school on Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15. The following email was e-blasted to all Central High families.
“On Friday, the Kane County Health Department met with the director of facility operations as well as Central High School food service staff and administration. The health department assured everyone again that the high school is safe to be open. Bottled water has been provided for students, staff and visitors. The restrooms are functional, and hand-washing with anti-bacterial soap is acceptable. We have also provided hand sanitizer for each restroom as an additional measure.
“The well and water system disinfection process began at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. No public access to Central High School occurred during the weekend during this process. The system was flushed on Sunday, October 18, and the water was tested on Monday and Tuesday. We anticipate the boil order to be lifted mid-week. Once the boil order is lifted, we will need to test our water quarterly for one year and then revert back to annual testing once per year.
“While testing is completed over the next couple of days and the boil order remains in place, students may bring water to school or water will be provided for them.”
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Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.