The Northwest Catholic District School Board should receive test results Wednesday (Feb. 8) that indicate whether a recently-detected “bug” in the water system at Our Lady of the Way School in Stratton has been eliminated.
The “bug”—a bacterial species named pseudomonas aeruginosa—was growing in the water pipes downstream and hiding behind “slime” since the installation of an ultraviolet light treatment system there.
Chris Howarth, superintendent of business for the school board, said Tuesday he hopes the situation is now under control.
“We did receive the chemical,” he noted, saying it was a biodispersant that’s specifically meant to deal with this type of bacteria.
“On Feb. 3 and 4, we ran it through the system,” he added, noting they were very careful to ensure the procedure was carried out properly.
A sample of the water subsequently was set to a lab in Thunder Bay, with the results expected back Wednesday.
If that sample shows the “bug” no longer exists, a second sample still must be sent away to be tested.
“We need two clear samples before we will let the children drink the water again,” Howarth noted, citing Feb. 13 as the earliest possible date that can happen.
“We’re told the chemical should work,” he added. “So we’re pretty confident it will.”
If today’s test result comes back showing the biodispersant has not worked, Howarth said they will try running the chemical through the system again and then reassess the situation.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
