OAKWOOD — Annual testing of the water supply system at Smith Elementary in the Oakwood school district found the presence of Legionella bacteria in the system, according to a district spokesperson.
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The district was notified Tuesday that testing in buildings across the district earlier this month yielded a positive test at the elementary school. All additional tests in other district buildings have so far been negative but additional testing is being completed, the spokesperson said.
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Following the positive test, the district has closed the water sources to the building and will work with Solid Blend Technologies to treat the school’s water system.
After the treatment is completed there will be a second test of the water system Monday. Classes are set to resume in the district next week, Aug. 25 for grades 1-12 and Aug. 30 for kindergarten.
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“We are continuing to be proactive on all fronts to ensure our facilities remain safe, dry and secure, and support the educational and instructional needs of all of our students and staff,” Oakwood Schools Superintendent Dr. Kyle Ramey said in the media release.
“The health and safety of our students and staff remain a top priority. We are looking forward to having our students return to school next week and beginning another great school year.”
Legionella bacteria tend to build-up in water systems that have been unused for a period of time, according to Public Health Dayton and Montgomery County.
In 2020, several area school districts and an area hospital were notified of positive tests of Legionella bacteria in their water systems.
Legionella is a bacterium that can cause a serious type of pneumonia called Legionnaires’ disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Legionella can become a health concern when it grows and spreads in human-made building water systems.
We’ll continue to update this story as we learn more.
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