Why are more folks not talking about the bacteria in the water at Morris Grove Elementary? OWASA submits to test after test with the water bacteria free, so the bacteria is developing after the water leaves OWASA and is piped through the schools system. I cannot find information anywherethat states what is being done to correct this problem. Am I the only oneoutraged at this? These are our children, some getting sick from drinking tainted water. Is there a plan in place to correct this?
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I saw this article in the DTH:http://www.dailytarheel.com/news/state_national/bacteria_found_in_morris_grove_water_fountains
Penny, if you can include some links so folks can see what you're talking about, this would make a good front page post...
UNC had a similar problem with the water at Chapman and Caudill, two buildings in the Science Complex, that came online last year:http://www.dailytarheel.com/2.1383/1.162178
Do they think there is a plumbing leak or that sewer lines have been incorrectly joined to drinking water lines?Here's some generic information on enterobacter infections:http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/216845-overview http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Enterobacter
Operate under pressure, typically 25 PSIG and up. Sewer systems within buildings are almost universally gravity operated, ie no pressure in the pipe. Thus it is basically impossible for the sewer to contaminate the potable water.
They need to flush the lines out, wonder how they got a C.O. with this condition in existence?
Last time I was at Morris Grove everyone was using bottled water because of this problem. Are kids still getting sick? If not, then I'm not sure 'outrage' is quite the right response - especially if the contractor and the schools are working on the problem.
All is takes is one kid drinking water they shouldn't and the outcome could be disastrous. Read the articles I posted on this bacteria. It's seriously bad news.
It sounded before like you were outraged about the response to the problem, so perhaps I simply misunderstood you. When you say that it "make us all dig deeper into our pockets," does that mean the contractor is not going to pay for the repair? I will be outraged if the contractors made the mistake and the school system doesn't make them pay to correct it. Are you saying the school system isn't pursuing the question of who should pay?Do you know if other states require water to be tested before a school opens?
At UNC, all new buildings are commissioned as they are built. Commissioning is the process of monitoring all construction as it occurs to assure adherence to engineering standards.It's a green building practice that attempts to address problems with standard construction practices. All those pipes that are behind walls aren't inspected any other way.The school system/county paid an engineering and/or architectural firm to oversee the construction of the school. Sometimes those firms accept responsibility for problems like this and other times they don't. Commissioning should be factored into all new budgets for public buildings, IMHO.
Commissioning would not have caught this. It is just another layer of construction inspection.
Sounds like a cross connect between the high temperature hot water system in the kitchen and some sort of "green" system, rainwater collection, solar water etc. Pretty sad, really.
The County Health Dept. would be the one to require a water quality test prior to occupancy.
Thanks for the further info. "Does Carrboro test the water inside of new buildings before a COO is issued?"I don't know, but I doubt it. I will check.
The school system should not consider OWASA to be the expert on this matter, and should consider bringing in forensic plumbing analysis experts. For example, "A forensic plumbing and mechanical expert looks at all plumbing and
mechanical systems to ensure they were installed according to building
codes and in conformance with the approved plans. This includes all the
plumbing fixtures, water heaters, tubs and showers. They will also
check heating and air-conditioning for code violations and/or
installation issues." (from http://www.constructiondefects.us/mobile/ForensicExperts.html.) Note that while this quote is from a law firm's web site, bringing in attorneys is the absolute last thing that should be done here. This approach is all the more called for because flushing and other first-line approaches have not solved the problem. Bring in some people who have experience at examining the plumbing and mechanical designs (first, on paper) and looking for problems. In other words, first make sure things were designed properly. That should not take long at all. Then make sure they were installed correctly, through on-site inspection. That might take a few days, by the right people. Once the problem is identified and fixed, those responsible can pay for finding and fixing it.
The thing I find most ironic is that the school system will brag about how green this school is, while they toss hundreds of plastic water bottles away every week. Your tax dollar at work!
It's only temporary, and it's not their fault. They deserve a break, but only if they hire some people who know what they are doing to evaluate the drawings the contractor followed, and then the actual construction of the piping, valves, etc. They ought not wait for OWASA to tell them how to do that. They could contact any number of local engineers and/or architects to get some referrals on this. They should write up what they want done (very simple) and get a couple of estimates/proposals from a few firms, along with a description of the firms' qualifications and then go for it. This ain't rocket science, but the expertise is not going to find them, they have to find it.
Did they ever get an expert party to review the design and specifications, and thence do a site visit for a thorough inspection. Another point: have they been doing extra tests for lead? In that regard, remember that Durham and other towns recommend running the water a while before drinking it. That is good advice and applies everywhere because fixtures still can contain lead, even new ones. When UNC had some lead problems in water in new buildings they learned that there are ways to specify lead-free fixtures in water fountains and the like. That of course ought to be the case with all schools, but don't count on it. No doubt many components are made in China. Never drink or cook with the first squirt. Another WeaverGuy tip.
Penny,I vaguely remember hearing something about this but have to admit that I'm not up to speed on the issue. Has the OC Health Department done anything regarding this issue? It would seem that either the bacteria are simply in the pipes (in which case a 'shock treatment' with disinfectant, like used on swimming pools, could rectify the issue), or there is a crossed connection allowing sanitary waste into the system. A third possibility might be an external water connection which isn't equipped with a proper backflow valve. In any of these situations this should not be insurmountable problem and it should be one that justifies immediate and comprehensive attention. I too would like to know more about what is going on and, if the situation is still occurring, what is being done about it.