TOWN OF ALGOMA, WI (WTAQ) – Community members are reacting after an elementary school in the town of Algoma has shut down their drinking fountains due to high levels of arsenic.
Tests from Oakwood Elementary show dangerously high levels of arsenic, a chemical connected to high rates of cancer.
In fact, the tests revealed a level around fourteen times higher than the legal limit.
Resident Vicki Rabe Harrison can vouch for the problems.
“When we moved in we needed a well test and it came back very, very high nitrates and arsenic fluoride,” says Harrison.
Because of that, she isn’t too surprised about the test findings at Oakwood Elementary.
“We are in the process of having a whole house filtration system on because we don’t even want to use showers or anything,” she explains.
Chris Wright gets his water from the Town of Algoma, but still has his concerns.
“I have three kids that go to Oakwood School,” says Wright.
But, he’s not ready to panic yet.
“Anyone that’s had their kid exposed to some level of chemicals that aren’t healthy would be a little concerned, but I feel like the school district has been very proactive,” he explains.
The school is offering water bottles for the time being and they hope to hook up to Algoma’s water system by the summer.
Winnebago County health director Doug Gieryn says it’s not a terrible idea for neighbors to do the same.
“It certainly does relieve you from having the burden of a well and having to test it regularly and you know it’s being tested all the time,” says Gieryn.
Schools only have to conduct arsenic testing every three years, while it isn’t legally required of homeowners at all.
“It’s been a standard for a long time,” he explains.
Arsenic levels are impacted by fluctuating water levels and geology, which means they can change with the seasons.
“We just know that we’re a hotspot for it,” says Gieryn.
He says their department is hard at work to identify the extent of the problem.
“We’re working with the DNR and the town water system to identify which residences in the area are not on a municipal system,” says Gieryn.
Homes can hook up to the municipal system, but it isn’t free of charge.
“I do know that some people don’t hook up to the town water because of the cost associated to it,” explains Wright.
Rabe Harrison claims to prefer her well water to the municipal system.
“It’s already been paid to bring the water to our house and we could connect to it, but we choose not to,” she says.
