District News

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) — Grand Rapids Public Schools will resume classes Wednesday as the city’s first round of water testing found no harmful contaminants present.

Following a water main break Sunday, the City of Grand Rapids put a boil water advisory in place to ensure the loss of water pressure had not allowed for contamination in the water supply.

Tuesday afternoon, city leaders announced that the initial testing of the water found no harmful contaminants. Another round of testing will be completed Wednesday morning to confirm these results. In the meantime, the boil water advisory remains in effect for those in the affected area.

Bottled water and hand sanitizer will be made available for use at the schools located within the boil water advisory zone. The GRPS Nutrition Services facility, which is located in the advisory zone, will serve breakfasts and lunches that do not require the use of water. If any water is utilized in food preparation, it will be boiled in advance.

The GRPS Facilities and Operations team has begun conducting water system flushing at each of the GRPS properties in the affected zone. Additional flushing will be completed as needed following additional tests and recommendations from city leaders and county health officials.

Here are the steps we are taking to ensure scholars are safe as they attend school in the affected area:

• Hand sanitizer will be available for use.
• Bottled water will be available for all scholars and staff.
• Drinking water fountains will be off limits.

Any water utilized for food or drinks will be boiled in advance.

Once the all clear is given, affected schools will continue to have bottled water available for at least the remainder of the week.

Families with questions or concerns should contact the principal at their scholar’s school.