Superintendent reports water-testing results and planned mitigation at Granite Falls schools

Granite Falls School District Superintendent Dr. Giesland told the board Dec. 10 that district staff have completed water testing at school facilities and are taking immediate mitigation steps where tests showed elevated lead levels.

Dr. Giesland said the district tested more than 200 outlets. Fifteen outlets that are not used were shut off immediately, and roughly 50 outlets showed low trace amounts that require mitigation, such as replacement of faucet components or installation of filters. The district said it is working with a vendor experienced with other local districts; staff told trustees that replacing faucets has been the most reliable long-term solution in peer districts.

In addition to the water-testing update, the superintendent reported building-maintenance items: the boiler in the steam building at Granite Falls Middle School is undersized and recently failed; a replacement part is expected to arrive Friday and a permanent repair is planned for summer. Staff also said they will add exterior lighting around the middle school to improve safety for students arriving by bus or on foot, and that a school-zone flashing 20-mph sign is out of service and being repaired by the city.

Dr. Giesland said the district will post testing results and outreach information and will use model communications language other districts had used to explain testing and mitigation steps. The superintendent cautioned that some high readings came from outlets that were not in regular use and therefore do not represent regular student drinking water; the district emphasized transparency about which outlets required action.

The board did not record specific dollar amounts for mitigation in the meeting transcript; trustees directed staff to continue communicating results to the public and to proceed with mitigation work.