GREENSBORO, N.C. — Sumner Elementary School in Greensboro is experiencing water issues.
It comes after the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) found contaminates in the water.
NC DEQ said during its annual testing of the well water at Sumner Elementary School, naphthalene was found.
This chemical can be produced from petroleum and after short-term exposure can cause anemia, damage to the liver, and neurological damage.
We reached out to the Guilford County Public Health Department to explain the health risks related to the well water findings but did not respond to that question.
The NC DEQ tested the well water test on October 5th. Guilford County Schools and Sumner Elementary School were not notified until November 2nd.
NC DEQ said that is because it takes two to six weeks to receive lab results. Those results showed that the water is not recommended for any residential use at this time.
On November 2 and 3, teachers had workdays at the Sumner Elementary School and the district said staff were notified that the school would be closed on the 3rd to address the issues.
NC DEQ and GCS said they flushed the water lines and a water tanker was brought in on Monday. After shutting off the well, the tanker was connected to the direct water line.
That water line is now how the entire school is supplied with water for bathrooms, lunches, and drinking.
GCS said bottled water and water coolers have also been placed throughout the school for clean water.
GCS said a message was sent to staff and parents explaining what was going on.
The letter was sent via email and mail and it came from the Guilford County Division of Public Health and Guilford County Schools.
The department said a sample was collected as part of an investigation into a petroleum release in the area.
According to NC DEQ, the analysis found that Sumner Elementary School’s well water supply contained a concentration of contaminants at higher levels than acceptable.
The department stated that they are working to address the issue with multiple agencies to resolve this situation as swiftly and safely as possible.
NC DEQ is doing additional testing at the school and they expect results of that this week.
Also, NC DEQ said previous results did not show contaminants above drinking water standards from their tests in years past.
The Division of Public Health is available to answer questions online and is working to initiate a webpage with additional information.
The story is developing and WFMY News 2 is working to learn more.