ROCHESTER HILLS — Rochester Community Schools district officials are taking precautions after high levels of lead and copper were found in the water of three separate rooms at Van Hoosen and Reuther middle schools.

Superintendent Dave Pruneau sent a letter home to parents Aug. 27 informing them of the situation and detailing the steps the district is taking to resolve the problem.

“In the interest of student and staff safety, I am writing today to share information regarding a problem with the drinking water at Van Hoosen and Reuther,” Pruneau wrote. “Please be assured that if additional precautions are necessary they will be taken immediately.”

Pruneau’s letter states that during a routine inspection at Van Hoosen, high levels of copper were found in the water of the boys locker room. When the system was flushed and re-tested, the levels of copper were found to be within the Environmental Protection Agency’s safe drinking guidelines.

Since Reuther was renovated during the same time period as Van Hoosen, the district decided to test that school’s water as well on Aug. 27. The testing indicated that there were high levels of lead in the water of the boiler room and high levels of copper in Room 120.

According to RCS Communications Director Debbi Hartman, district officials are working with Nova Environmental Inc., which has recommended the district flush the system in both buildings each day. The health department has also been informed, and the district is working to institute its recommendations as well.

“The thing to emphasize is that we know when we flush the system the water becomes safe, and we’ve been doing that on a regular basis,” Hartman said. “Since the water isn’t used as frequently over the summer, it may be connected.”

The problem with high levels of lead and copper was first encountered two years ago during the construction phase at Van Hoosen. At that time the district found a potential problem with water coming from one faucet in one room, Pruneau wrote. The water was then tested by Nova Environment Inc., and no conditions were found that exceeded EPA safe drinking guidelines, he said. Since then, the district has continued to monitor the water at Van Hoosen.

For now, students of Van Hoosen and Reuther are encouraged to not drink the schools’ water, and bottled water will be provided until the problem can be corrected, Hartman said.

“Providing the bottled water is more of a precaution,” Hartman added. “We are sure the water is safe to drink, but we want to air on the side of caution until we can figure out what is going on with it.”

For more information, contact Pruneau at (248) 726-3100 or dpruneau@rochester.k12.mi.us.

You can reach Staff Writer Jennifer S. McDonald at jmcdonald@candgnews.com or at (586) 279-1112.