For the first time since 2017, students at Gray’s Creek and Alderman Road Elementary Schools can safely drink from water fountains. Thanks to the installation of new filtration systems, long-standing concerns over chemical contamination are finally being addressed.
The $39,000 system cleans PFAS chemicals from drinking spots and kitchen areas. Officials put aside $23,000 more to add 14 spots where kids can fill water bottles. These quick fixes will work until workers finish an $11.82 million water line in mid-2026.
In October 2017, tests revealed harmful chemicals in the schools’ water supply. The source for the contamination was a Chemours Company plant located just 3.5 miles away. EPA studies indicate that PFAS chemicals may cause significant health problems. Scientists often refer to them as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment…