TODAY'S TMJ4 has learned that antifreeze and some other chemicals were found in the drinking water at Addison Elementary School in Slinger. More testing will be done Tuesday morning, as Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources now leads the investigation.
The Superintendent of Slinger Schools, Daren Sievers, sent this email to all parents in the district:
Re: Water Issue at Addison Elementary
Dear Addison Parents:
We are writing you at this time to inform you that the Slinger School District has learned of a problem with the drinking water at Addison Elementary. This problem requires immediate action to prevent exposure, but we do not believe that any students or staff have been harmed at this time. We will, however, be taking several precautionary measures to further protect students and staff at Addison until we have the answers we need. School will resume on Monday, May 16th as scheduled. Here are some of the pertinent facts and details at this time:
Late on Friday afternoon, just prior to dismissal time, we were contacted and informed that a recent water sample we had taken showed trace evidence of both propylene and ethylene glycol (antifreeze) in our drinking water. We believe the source of the antifreeze is from a broken pipe in our HVAC system. We moved quickly on this matter and by 7:00 PM Friday night, school representatives were on a conference call with representatives from the Wisconsin DNR, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Wisconsin Poison Control, and Washington County.
Here is the most critical information from this meeting that will answer some of your questions about exposure to traces of antifreeze in drinking water. In consultation with an environmental toxicologist from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and with a clinical toxicologist from the Wisconsin Poison Center, we’ve been assured that although the levels detected are above typical drinking water standards, they are still quite low and no harm is expected. We were also told that although ingesting large amounts of antifreeze is harmful, the very small amounts of antifreeze found in Addison’s water supply are metabolized by the body then excreted. If you have questions about your child’s health in any way, you should contact your doctor. You may also contact the Wisconsin Poison Center at 800-222-1222.
Our investigation of the water system issue at Addison will begin immediately and be thorough. Until we are confident that the water system has been repaired and remediation efforts have taken care of the contaminants, we will have the drinking fountains and/or bubblers at school turned OFF. We’d kindly ask students to bring water to school if possible, starting on Monday and through the end of the school year. The school district will be providing bottled water for cooking and drinking from now until the end of the school year, as needed. We have been told by our consultants that hand washing and washing of dishes at high temperatures is safe for all students and staff. As indicated earlier, school will resume on Monday as usual.
We appreciate your understanding and support at this time. This will be the first of many communications with you as we move forward with this process and as we have more information available. The health, safety, and wellbeing of your children continue to be of primary concern here at Addison. Please feel free to contact either of us with any questions or concerns you might have about this matter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
John T. Larkin, Principal 262-644-8037
Daren R. Sievers, Superintendent 262-644-9615
