More Kanawha Co. School Closures Due to Water Concerns

Even more Kanawha County schools have canceled classes because of an odor resembling the chemical that spilled into a regional water system last month.
 
West Virginia Department of Education spokeswoman Liza Cordeiro says Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Ron Duerring directed J.E. Robins Elementary School in Charleston to close Thursday morning as a precautionary measure.

Updated on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 4:30:

Kanawha County Schools Superintendent Ron Duerring released the following statement:

Tests were conducted by the West Virginia National Guard in the three Kanawha County Schools which were dismissed early today because of reported odor issues in the schools. Results from all three schools ( J.E. Robins, Overbrook and Watts) came back as non-detect.   In consultation with the Kanawha – Charleston Health Department officials, the Governor’s Office, National Guard, and the West Virginia Department of Education the decision was made to keep schools open.    Kanawha County Schools have followed all flushing protocols and in many cases have gone beyond requirements in an effort to ensure student safety. We also continue to provide bottled water, cook with bottled water, and make available hand sanitizer.  In addition, all schools in the county were tested last week and all were reported at the non-detect level.

More from our original post at Thursday, February 6 at 12:00 p.m.

Cordeiro says she was told that a cook at J.E. Robnbins Elementary was using a dishwasher when the smell began. Both the cook and a custodian reported burning eyes.
 

She says the school plans to do more flushing and water testing.

The West Virginia Department of Education also announced the closures of two other schools due to water concerns:
 

 

Cordeiro says last week’s testing at J.E. Robbins, Watts, and Overbrook came back as a “non-detect.” Testing will continue at these three schools.

Riverside High and Midland Elementary remained closed Thursday. Both schools canceled classes Wednesday morning because of the licorice smell. Cordeiro also notes that testing  on Wednesday at Riverside High and Midland Elementary yielded non-detected levels of MCHM on Thursday.

Cordeiro says the school system continues to work with the local health department and West Virginia National Guard.

The Jan. 9 spill  spurred a nine-county water use ban for days.
 
 

Gov. Tomblin Considers In-Home Water Testing

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is evaluating options to test tap water in people’s homes after last month’s chemical spill.
 
     After the Jan. 9 chemical spill, officials have based testing at the West Virginia American Water treatment plant and various other spots across the affected region.
 
     House Speaker Tim Miley and Minority Leader Tim Armstead urged Tomblin to start representative sampling in homes across the affected nine-county area. The two lawmakers suggested making West Virginia American Water pay for the tests. But they want the state to conduct the testing.
 
     At a news conference, Tomblin said he had no plans to conduct testing for all 300,000 West Virginians affected by the spill, which spurred a water-use ban for days.
 
     But Tomblin said he would be “happy to consider” taking representative samples.
 

Two W.Va. Schools Cancel Class After Chemical Odor

Two West Virginia schools closed early because of an odor resembling the chemical that spilled into a regional water system last month. Riverside High and…

Two West Virginia schools closed early because of an odor resembling the chemical that spilled into a regional water system last month.
 
     Riverside High and Midland Trail Elementary in Kanawha County closed Wednesday morning because of the licorice smell.
 
     The chemical wasn’t detected in previous testing.
 
     State schools Superintendent James Phares said schools were flushing their pipes Wednesday because of a water main break earlier in the week and didn’t finish before students arrived. Phares said some students complained of lightheadedness, itchy eyes and noses. A teacher who fainted and a student were taken to a hospital.
 
     The schools are reflushing and testing for the chemical. No decision will be made about Thursday’s classes until results return. The schools also have hand sanitizer and bottled water

Morgantown City Council Backs Same-Sex Civil Marriage

Morgantown’s City Council is asking the Legislature to legalize same-sex civil marriages in West Virginia.
 
     The Dominion Post reports that council members unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday asking lawmakers to approve marriage equality for gay couples. This would include health and pension benefits and tax treatment.
 
     West Virginia doesn’t allow same-sex marriage or recognize those that occurred in other states.   
 
     The council also unanimously endorsed a bill introduced by Senate President Jeff Kessler that would make it unlawful for employers and landlords to discriminate against individuals based on their sexual orientation.
 
     Both resolutions were presented by the Morgantown Human Rights Commission.
 
 

AUDIO: Gov. Tomblin, CDC, EPA, & State Officials Provide Update on Chemical Spill and Water Crisis

Gov. Tomblin Wednesday afternoon joined members of the state and federal team involved in efforts following the January 9 chemical spill into the Elk…

Gov. Tomblin Wednesday afternoon joined members of the state and federal team involved in efforts following the January 9 chemical spill into the Elk River and water crisis that followed. Tomblin, along with officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as state agencies, provided an update on what has been accomplished, the current status of spill response, and the actions the team plans to take moving forward.

Editor’s Note: Archived audio of the briefing is provided at the top of this post. Please see this post for specificinformation on what was relayed during the briefing.

CDC, EPA Officials Coming to Visit W.Va. After Chemical Spill

Officials from the federal agency that helped determine when people could use their water again will be visiting Charleston. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on…

Officials from the federal agency that helped determine when people could use their water again will be visiting Charleston.
 
     Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin on Wednesday will give officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an update on last month’s chemical spill. Environmental Protection Agency officials will join them.
 
     After the Jan. 9 chemical spill, the CDC created a scale that determined when 300,000 affected West Virginians could safely use their water. Days after a water-use ban was lifted, the agency then said pregnant women should avoid drinking the water.
 
     State and federal officials have called for more transparency from the CDC about its conclusions.
 
     Many residents remain wary of drinking or cooking with the water, though the nine-county region is clear to use it.

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