DEQ releases statement on chemicals found in water at Farmer Elementary School in Randolph County

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has released a statement after chemicals were found in the water supply at a local elementary school.

Students and staff at Farmer Elementary School are being advised not to drink the water due to the chemicals being found.

In a statement, Randolph County School System Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey said school officials are working on the water issue, and bottled water is available.

The DEQ said in its statement that they’ve been testing the water supplies at small water systems in the last three years. The sample data is still preliminary and will be released once it is final.

The full statement can be read below:

DEQ has been conducting system sampling for the past 3 years to assess the PFAS levels in public water systems across the state, with a focus on smaller systems that may have limited means to do their own sampling. This proactive effort assists public water systems that will have to comply with federal drinking water regulations on six PFAS compounds announced in April of this year.  Water systems will have to comply with the drinking water standards within 5 years.

As part of this effort, DEQ’s sampling of a small system west of Asheboro showed significantly elevated levels in well water. DEQ also contacted the nearby elementary school and tested PFAS levels in their two wells and onsite drinking water. Preliminary data on the samples at the school confirm significantly elevated levels of some PFAS compounds in one of the school’s two wells, as well as lower but still elevated levels of PFAS compounds, including soon-to-be regulated compounds PFOS and PFOA, at a tap (or faucet) at the school.

DEQ has been in touch with the school system and county and state health officials about these preliminary results and is working with the school system on alternate water supplies and next steps. Additionally, DEQ is sampling drinking water at other nearby small water systems and contacting residents within a quarter-mile radius to test their private drinking water wells. It is our understanding that the school system has begun alerting parents and staff of the school about preliminary findings.

Staatement from DEQ

Gainey says the Randolph County School System is working with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to fix the problem before the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

The full statement is provided below:

Good evening parents and staff members of Farmer Elementary School,

This is Stephen Gainey. I am calling to make you aware that over the past 24 hours our school system has been dealing with a water issue at Farmer Elementary School.

To be more specific, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has identified a high level of PFAS substances in the water supply at Farmer Elementary School. Please know that the school system is working closely with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, state health leaders, and the leaders of the Randolph County Health Department on this issue.

As a result, the leadership of the school system has been advised that individuals should not consume the water at Farmer Elementary School at this time. Bottled water has been delivered to the school’s campus to address this restriction on water use.

In the next few days, a letter from the school system will be mailed to the homes of all students and staff members at Farmer Elementary School. It also will be posted on the homepage of the school’s webpage.

This letter will provide additional information including resources pertaining to PFAS substances in the water supply.

Finally, please know that the school system is working closely with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to find a solution to this issue prior to the start of the 2024-2025 school year.

RCSS Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey

The school district released another statement on Thursday that says only five-to-six people are currently working at the campus due to it being summer break.

That full statement can be read below:

“At this time, no programs or classes are being held on the campus of Farmer Elementary School due to the summer break.  In addition, due to the summer break, only five to six staff members are working on the school’s campus.  Bottled water has been provided for staff members on the school’s campus.  Also, please note that the Randolph County School System is adhering to all precautions outlined by Randolph County Public Health, state health leaders, and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality.”

RCSS Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey

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