In 2020, the SCPS Water Management Team shut down and sealed off the water fountains, bottle fillers, and water coolers within SCPS facilities due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. As a result, these water fountains have been out of service for approximately two years and bottled water has been provided for students, staff, and visitors.
As we look to welcome our students back to the buildings, we are currently working with an industrial hygiene consultant to proactively test stagnant water in our fountains for the presence of Legionella. We have not been directed to complete water testing, nor are there any staff members who are ill. This is simply the right thing to do to ensure the highest level of safety in our buildings.
Our summer maintenance routines are currently underway, and part of that includes thoroughly flushing the water lines within our buildings. Initial water samples were taken in June prior to the beginning of our summer water fountain flushing routine. A limited number of these samples revealed the presence of Legionella in water fixtures that have not been in use. Any water fountains that are found to have a Legionella concern are being addressed and then resampled to confirm Legionella is no longer detected. As the water fountains are tested and confirmed to be non-detect for Legionella, these drinking water sources will be reopened.
The Stafford County water plants routinely monitor and test treated water out in the system. The county has sampled the water distribution system and assured us that there is not a concern with the water supply to the buildings. As the concern is limited to water fountains that have been out of use, the kitchen and bathroom facilities are not impacted. These areas have been used routinely over the last two years, so there has not been an accumulation of water in these fixtures and they are safe for use.
The wellness of our students and staff is of the utmost importance to all of us at Stafford County Public Schools. We encourage all of our neighboring school divisions to conduct the same proactive testing of their water fountains. We will continue to provide bottled water to students and staff until all water fountains have been tested and determined to be non-detect for Legionella. This process will take approximately six months to fully complete.
We will provide additional information as these fixtures are reopened for their intended use. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
