Authorities deny water contamination at school in Dubai

Dubai - The school was temporarily closed down.

The German Consulate in Dubai confirmed to Khaleej Times that the German International School Dubai will commence its normal operations from Tuesday.
In an earlier statement released to Khaleej Times on Sunday, the consulate confirmed the temporary closure of the school "after a possible contamination of water was discovered".
"After coordinating with the competent Dubai authorities, the school will commence normal operations on September 11," the consulate's statement on Monday said.
Also read: Dubai school shuts temporarily due to water contamination
After testing, authorities denied the presence of bacteria that cause Legionnaire's disease in the water in the school, which forced it to close down temporarily. "The school has been closed as a matter of precaution," the consulate had said.
However, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) confirmed to Khaleej Times on Monday that samples tested from the water network confirmed that the water is clear of "any contamination or bacteria".
"The results were conveyed to the school," a Dewa spokesperson said.
The spokesperson noted that the potable water supplied is in full compliance with international potable water standards and latest World Health Organisation guidelines for drinking water quality.
While it is Dewa's responsibility to provide safe and healthy water up to the meter, the customer or owner of a building and maintenance companies have the responsibility of carrying out regular maintenance of the internal networks and water tanks after the meter to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
Meanwhile, Redha Salman, director of Health and Safety Department at the Dubai Municipality, confirmed that the school decided to conduct cleanup and maintenance of the tanks and pipes.
"There is no Legionnaire's disease in any school and we are not aware of such presence," said Salman in a statement released to the media.
He added that the school acquired permission from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), the regulatory authority of private schools in Dubai, to close down temporarily to carry out maintenance work and informed parents accordingly.
"The issue is a normal procedure," he said.
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com

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