One of Orange County’s newest schools opens in Wedgefield this August, and the school district is taking extra precautions to make sure the school has good drinking water.
That is adding to frustration for residents in the community who are trying to get the government to deal with their own drinking water concerns.
- Tests show almost a dozen Wedgefield homes have high levels of TTHMs
- Pluris, the private company that handles Wedgefield's water, will also handle water for the new school
- OCPS is putting in a special filtration system at Wedgefield School
Water tests done at nearly a dozen Wedgefield homes show levels of Total Trihalomethanes are well above the legal limit. TTHMs are a chemical by-product of the chlorination process. Long-term exposure has been linked to certain types of cancers, according to the Florida Department of Health.
OCPS said they were aware of the water concerns related to private company Pluris. At Wedgefield K-8 School, the district is installing its own filtration system, chlorination building and pump, to ensure students have safe drinking water from day one.
That is not a common practice for new schools built in the district.
“The quality of the water is of the highest priority for this school, as with any OCPS facility,” said OCPS’ Chief Facilities Officer John Morris. “We will take the time to make sure we design and provide the best filtration system for students and staff.”
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Residents, however, question why they are struggling to get government help for their own water issues when the school district is taking such precautions.
"What about when the kids come home to these homes?” said Pamela Dimarzio.
Dimarzio is a single mom to three children, all of whom will be attending Wedgefield School in the fall.
“The community, we’re all super excited about this school," she said. “We’ve worked really hard, for many, many years to get here. It’s about time we have our own community school. This is a long time coming.”
Dimarzio moved into Wedgefield 10 years ago, pregnant with her first child. Though water issues — price and quality — have loomed for years in Wedgefield, construction of the new K-8 school has made them boil over.
“The public school is now going to be the biggest customer for Pluris," said Dimarzio.
“The residents deserve better," commented Orange County Commissioner Ted Edwards, who represents the area.
Water test results are being forwarded to the State Department of Environmental Protection, who may choose to take action against Pluris. The county has said they have no jurisdiction over Pluris.
“They’re not doing a good enough job at providing the safe drinking water supply to the residents of Wedgefield," said Edwards.
In recent weeks, both Orange County and Pluris re-tested several Wedgefield homes. Those results are still being finalized and will be forwarded to the DEP for evaluation as well.
OCPS said they have not done any of their own testing of the water, and didn’t have the figures ready yet for what the enhanced up-filtration system will cost.
The school will accommodate more than 1,000 students. It’s being built to relieve overcrowding at two other schools, Corner Lake Middle School and Columbia Elementary School.