out CONSIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS uildings 6: Grounds Department 2510 Industrial Street Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495 715-422?6043 Fax 715?422?6240 November 11, 2013 Dear Parents of THINK Academy Students, The most recent lead sample results for THINK_Academy collected on September 21, 2013, exceeded the maximum concentration level that is allowable in public drinking water. Enclosed is a brochure providing additional information from the Department of Natural Resources concerning elevated lead levels. When water stands in older plumbing systems for several heurs, the lead may dissolve into the water. The first draw after sitting in the pipes will contain the highest. amount of lead. "Our water is tested after sitting in the pipe for 6 hours. While no samples that exceeded the maximum concentration levels were from drinking fountains, we want to make sure the water is safe before we allow students and staff to drink it; We are working with the Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Rural Water to identify the sources of the lead and remove it. This could be as simple as changing the faucets in the affected area. Until we can identify the source, we are asking you to send a filled water bottle from .home for your child. We will also have a limited Supply of bottled water available at the school. Water is also being brought in temporarily for kitchen use. We will continue to closely monitor the water quality at THINK Academy to assure that it is safe for students and staff. We will keep you informed asthis situation gets resolved, and appreciate your patience as we work throUgh this process. If you have any questions, please contact the school office, or my office directly at 715-424?6718. Sincerely, Edwin Allison Director of Buildings Grounds Enclosure Eng SIN RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 610 Industrial Street gs'& Grounds Department Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495 71 5424-6718 Fax 715?422?6240 February 6, 2014 IDear?P-arent?s of THINK Academy Students, The Water samples collected on September_21-, 2013 from fixtures, at THINK exceeded the maximum concentration level of 15 parts per billion that is allowable in public drinking Water. At that time, a letter was sent home with students announcing our decision to students and staff use bottled water until we'could'i'dentify' the source of the lead and remedy the problem. When water-stands in older plumbing systems for. several'hours, lead from-fixtures and connections may dissolve into the water. The first draw 'of Water after sitting in the pipes will. contain the highest amount of lead. Our water is tes-ted'aftersitting in the pipes for 6 hours. We have been working closely with the Department ofNatu'ral Resources to find asolution to-this problem. After testing'the water'at thee nt-ry'point, it was determined that the plumbing faucets and shut offs were the likely culprits. The DNR- recommended that we replace the problem fixtures. We hate replaced the fixtures in the problem areas with lead-free eduipment. We also tested the drinking fountains and faucets in 15 _-diffe_rent_ areas. These tests all came back below the. action level. Our representative from the DNR has cenfirmed that we are safe to "go back to drinking the water at THINK Academy. We will open the fountains and flush-the?entire system on Friday, February Students will be'allowed to use the'lfountains starting on Monday, February 10th, 2014. Thank you for your patience as we worked through this process. our number one concern is the health and welfare of our students'and staff, and we will ccintinue to?monitor the'waterquality at THINK Academy. if you have any questions, please feel free toContact me at 715-424-6718; Sincerely, Edwin Allison Directorof Buildings Grounds EA/mg c: Tina Wallner, Principal Colleen Dickmann, Superintendent