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New water system at Currie delayed again

FOWLER — Mathews Local School District officials are hoping to have a new water filtration system at Currie Elementary School completed by month’s end so students and staff will once again be able to drink the water.

Superintendent Russell McQuaide said Monday, as with any large project, there are delays and the Currie water system is no exception.

“We are experiencing a delay as we are placing the new tanks in an upstairs loft area of the custodial room. There was concern over the weight of the tanks, as it will all be around 3,500 pounds. As a result, we are having a structural engineer assess if the location can handle the weight of the project, before placing it in this area,” McQuaide said.

He said if he doesn’t have an answer in a few weeks, the tanks will be placed on the main floor.

Mark Dillan of Dillan Well Drilling is installing the water system.

The school has not been using water for drinking or cooking since tests were done that showed high levels of arsenic. Students have been drinking bottled water.

The project was originally to begin Oct. 12, but because parts needed to be ordered, it was postponed until November.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency tested the water for quality and Currie’s arsenic level was at 11 parts per million, which was slightly higher than the recommended 10 parts per million.

Currie Elementary School is in Fowler and houses kindergarten to second grade.

McQuaide said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has approved the new water system at a cost of $19,590 paid from the general fund.

Last year, the district received orders from the EPA to make changes to two wells at the school. One unused well was capped off. The other well was inspected by an engineer for its filtration system, holding tank, arsenic levels and its proper functioning, with reports sent back to the EPA.

The board of education recently approved $1,040 per month for water testing at Currie once the project is complete.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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