Clarkston board approves $106,000 Filter First contract to install filtered bottle fillers

The Clarkston Community School District Board voted to approve a $106,000 contract with ServicePRO for the Filter First Healthy Hydration Initiative to install filtered bottle-filling stations across K–12 schools.

Facilities staff explained the project will supply one bottle filler for every 100 students, remove many old unfiltered bubblers, and install inline filters where required. The vendor-provided stations will include indicator lights to show when filters need replacement; staff said replacements may be required three to four times per year, increasing operating costs. The district will collect water samples and send them to a lab for testing; staff said annual testing at the filter outlet is required under the new state law and the work must be completed by June 30 to comply with deadlines.

Facilities manager explained the district will perform sample collection and that county or private labs will analyze results. The district previously installed about 60 bottle fillers in 2018–19 and expects broader coverage under the new law and grant funding programs. Board members asked whether the district or Oakland Schools will cover election or public-information costs for other items on the agenda; on the filter contract discussion, board members focused on compliance costs and tracking operating expenses. The motion to award the ServicePRO contract was moved, supported and approved.

The contract award authorizes procurement and installation to begin; the district will present follow-up details on ongoing operating costs and a schedule for summer installation work.