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Superintendent outlines manganese exceedance, corrective plan and PFAS options for schools
Summary
District staff reported a manganese exceedance at North Smithfield Elementary, ordered media replacement to fix filtration, and described two PFAS remediation options and an informational workshop for residents.
Superintendent St. James reported April 22 that testing at North Smithfield Elementary School showed manganese above the state cap, and the district has filed a corrective action plan with the Department of Health.
The superintendent said an initial test returned 1.28 milligrams per liter (the state cap cited in the record is 0.5), and a retest measured 0.596. The district engaged a consultant, NWSI, which recommended replacing the green-sand-plus filtration media at the point-of-entry treatment. The district has ordered the replacement media and will conduct follow-up laboratory and field testing: NWSI will perform biweekly sample tests until the media is replaced and at least two site visits after replacement, followed by monthly field testing for iron and manganese.
District staff said the replacement media has been ordered and that the cost on the quote was $4,499. The superintendent said the district will install the media "shortly" and that sampling will continue until levels are below the 0.5 cap at the point of entry.
On PFAS, the superintendent described two paths under consideration: (1) proceed with a planned pilot filtration project (the superintendent cited an approximate $650,000 engineering grant amount) to treat well number 2 near the athletic field, or (2) pursue a longer, more expensive project to extend town water from the Providence Pike corridor up to the school. Town officials have filed a grant application through Sen. Reid's office to help the town-side work, the superintendent said. She also said the town has options for 0-interest or immediately forgiven loan mechanisms to cover remaining costs, characterizing those structures as possible ways to close the funding gap.
District staff also said the Department of Health has grant funding to test private wells for PFAS; the department plans a public information session at the high school auditorium tentatively set for May 19 to explain testing availability and results. The superintendent said she would circulate details to the community when available.
