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In light of the recent outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in New York, the Department of Education isn’t taking any chances in Greenwich.
“I rather know we have a problem before someone gets sick,” said Ronald Matten, Director of School Facilities for Greenwich Public Schools.
“We are in the business of providing safe and clean learning environments for our students. That is our number one priority.”
“We are in the business of providing safe and clean learning environments for our students. That is our number one priority.”
“Mr. Matten said we do monthly maintenance of these cooling towers, we don’t necessarily test all of the time; most places don’t. But we said let’s do the testing for the bacteria,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. William McKersie.
The only schools with cooling towers are; Greenwich High School, the International School at Dundee and Riverside School.
Results of the testing found the presence of a different strain of Legionella bacteria at GHS.
According to a press release from Dr. McKersie, “Upon receiving the results on October 1, 2015, we reported to the Greenwich Department of Health as required, and dispatched our water treatment contractor to disinfect the cooling tower, which was completed on the same day. After consulting with the Greenwich Director of Health, we do not believe these findings pose an increased risk to the health of students and staff. The type of Legionella bacteria identified is not the strain that is commonly associated with causing disease in people.”
The tests from the International School at Dundee and Riverside School came back negative for the bacteria.
