Water problem cleared up at Glenwood Elementary School
MIDDLETOWN » After five days of tinged taps, the water at Glenwood Elementary School is once again running clear.
The discoloration was the result of sediment around a fire hydrant on the school grounds which leaked into the water main, said Rose Tree Media Schools Superintendent Jim Wigo. The district is served by Aqua America, which flushed the hydrant and main to remove the particles.
“It began last week with a little bit of turbidity in the water,” he added. “We didn’t know what it was and needed to be extra careful until we determined the cause.”
Aqua crews were on site last Wednesday to collect samples for testing. A report completed Monday and posted on the district website showed the results were within normal ranges in all categories and negative for coliform, bacteria commonly used as an indicator of the sanitary quality of water and foods. District maintenance workers flushed the lines Tuesday in advance of restoring full use.
Although service was not interrupted, the school went into semiwaterless mode, providing staff and students with extra hand sanitizer and bottled H2O for drinking. Tap water was not used for cooking food or washing dishes and prepared items were served using disposable plates and silverware.
“We wanted to know the cause and effect,” said Wigo. “Once we were assured the water was potable, all normal activities were resumed.”
Glenwood is in the path of Sunoco Pipeline L.P.’s Mariner East 2 pipeline project, the system that will transport natural gas liquids such as propane, ethane and butane to the Marcus Hook Industrial Complex. A portion of the valve station is slated for installation under a road 650 feet from the school playground. Wigo noted his first call was to the company, but was assured the construction did not contribute to the cloudy water.
“No public water supplies have been affected by work on the Mariner East project near Glenwood Elementary School or in any area along the 350 miles of Mariner East 2 pipeline construction,” according to a statement from company Communications Manager Jeff Shields.
Aqua will continue to monitor the situation, said representative Dr. Charles Hertz.
“Water-quality results were normal and did not show evidence of contamination from pipeline construction activities,” he wrote in an email to Wigo. “We intend to conduct regular flushing of a nearby fire hydrant.”