Hopkins Public School officials say the drinking water at Hopkins Elementary is safe for normal use, but water stations are being made available nonetheless.

The precautions are being taken because formal approval is pending from the Allegan County Health Department.

Superintendent Gary Wood, in a letter to parents and citizens, said, “Throughout the summer, the district took multiple water samples from various sources at Hopkins Elementary School to determine where lead could be contaminating the water system. Working with the Allegan County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, it was determined that the water pipes transporting water within the building should be replaced. The replacement of those pipes occurred earlier this month.

“Water is running in the building and preliminary tests taken this week indicate that the water is now safe for drinking. However, the water has not been approved by the health department for drinking at this time.”

Wood said the health department mandates that water samples must be taken when the water is in normal use conditions.

“This means that we cannot take final samples that will lead to ascertaining that lead levels are below contamination standards until students are back in the building,” the superintendent said.

“In the meantime, the school has rented several water stations from Culligan and placed them throughout the building. We are hoping to receive clearance from the health department once the new water samples are taken and tested. This should be a matter of a few days.”