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Oak Ridge Elementary reports elevated PFAS in well tests; bottled-water stations installed
Summary
Guilford County Schools notified Oak Ridge Elementary of elevated PFAS in the school’s well testing; the district installed bottled-water (LeBleu) stations and is working with state partners and the town on a long-term solution while water-line projects are underway.
Oak Ridge Elementary School officials told the Town Council Dec. 4 that voluntary water testing through Guilford County Schools and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality found elevated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the school’s well water.
Melissa Wilson, assistant principal at Oak Ridge Elementary, said the district immediately placed LeBleu bottled-water stations throughout the building and will keep those supports in place while state partners and the district work toward a long-term remedy. Wilson said district and town leaders have been in direct communication; Mayor Harton and staff indicated the town is coordinating with county and state partners and noted a new water tower and planned waterline work in the coming years.
Wilson also updated council on school events and logistics: 300 pounds of donated Halloween candy were packaged and sent to troops, the Oak Ridge Elementary jump-rope team and chorus will participate in this weekend’s Light Up the Night festivities, and a transportation hub at the town park has reduced car-rider traffic around the school.
What happens next: The town’s water advisory committee and Guilford County partners will follow up on technical testing and options for securing a long-term safe water supply for the school; the town reported ongoing water-line and water-tower work intended to extend public water to more areas over the next two years.
