HSC Announcements on Water Quality at Fitzsimons

NOTE: References to the Dispatch phone number are no longer valid; the new number is 303-724-1777

10/06/06, WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
10/10/06, UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
10/12/06, UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
10/20/06, UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500 - 10/20/2006
11/03/06, Water Quality on Fitzsimons Campus
11/07/06, Water Quality Update for Fitzsimons
11/09/06, Town Hall Meeting on Water Quality
11/15/06, Fitzsimons Water Quality Update
11/22/06, Town Hall Meetings on Water Quality
12/05/06, DECEMBER 6th LEAD AND COPPER TESTING CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 13th!!
01/10/07, Water Quality Meets State Standards

Additional medical opinion by Javier Waksman, MD, Rocky Mountain Poison Control

From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Tom.Downing@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 10:11 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: BUILDING 500 WATER CONCERNS

UCD Facilities Operations was notified this evening that recent water tests indicate that the water in Building 500 on the Fitzsimons campus may not be safe to consume. This applies to Building 500 only. UCD Facilities Operations has scheduled additional tests for Monday, October 9, 2006 to further test the drinking water in various locations inside and outside the building.

Facilities Operations will be making arrangements with a bottled water supplier to bring in bottled water and dispensers. Bottled drinking water will be provided in various locations throughout the building. If you do not have bottled water or access to bottled water, please call Facilities Operations Dispatch at 303-315-7941. This will be made available to you at no cost.

We are taking these test results seriously and will keep you updated as we have more information. Until further notice, please only use bottled water in Building 500 for drinking. We will provide updated information when it becomes available

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Tom.Downing@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 3:49 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500

UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Thank you for your patience as we further research the water quality concerns in Building 500 on the Fitzsimons campus.

Based on information we received from an outside consultant for the Veteran’s Administration (VA) late Friday, October 6, 2006, we decided to take immediate precautions and advise occupants of Building 500 not to drink the tap water.

UCD Facilities Operations just received the VA consultant’s test report and Environmental Health & Safety is reviewing it. From the VA test results, it appears safe to wash hands for normal activities.

To further test the water in Building 500, water samples were collected yesterday from 30 sites in the building and sent to an independent lab for testing for any harmful substances. Results are expected by the end of this week. After the test results are reviewed and compared to the VA test results, a plan will be developed to address whatever corrective action is necessary in the building.

In the meantime, we still recommend that you NOT consume the water from the taps or drinking fountains. Bottled drinking water has been provided in numerous locations throughout the building for your convenience. Please call Facilities Dispatch at 303-315-9741 if additional water is needed.

We will keep you informed as soon as we have more information.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations University of Colorado Denver

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From: administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Ida.Lambert@uchsc.edu
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 5:26 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list ADMINISTRATIVE-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500

UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
Thursday, October 12, 2006

Thank you again for your patience as we further research the water quality concerns in Building 500 on the Fitzsimons campus.

A third-party laboratory has completed the analysis of 60 samples taken at 30 different locations throughout Building 500 on Monday, October 9, and we received the reports this afternoon. Two tests were conducted for each location; one for coliform (a bacteria) and the other for metals (lead and copper).

No coliform was found in any of the samples. Out of the 30 locations, one location tested with a higher than acceptable level of lead. That area has been notified.

To confirm these results, water samples will be taken at 5 a.m. Monday, October 16th to capture "first draw" levels from the same locations in Building 500. With most water sources sitting stagnant over the weekend, these tests should provide definitive results.

Once we have all of the data, we will develop a plan to correct any problem. In addition, we will continue to monitor the water quality in Building 500.

The City of Aurora performs annual water tests and has never identified a problem with metals or coliform in the past. The last such test was conducted in
July, 2006. At our request, the city has tested water in Building 500 again this week.

In the meantime, we still recommend that you NOT consume the water from the taps or drinking fountains – until we have completed all of the testing and have final results. Bottled drinking water has been provided in numerous locations throughout the building for your convenience. Please call Facilities Dispatch at
303-315-7941 if additional water is needed. It is safe to use tap water to wash your hands.

We will continue to keep you informed as we have more information.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations
University of Colorado Denver

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Tom.Downing@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Friday, October 20, 2006 11:39 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500 - 10/20/2006

UPDATE ON WATER QUALITY CONCERNS IN BUILDING 500
Friday, October 20, 2006
Thank you again for your patience as we continue to research the water quality in Building 500 on the Fitzsimons campus.

As a follow up to the tests taken on Monday October 9, additional tests were taken on Monday, October 16. These ‘first draw’ tests (first thing in the morning) showed levels of copper and lead slightly above the state standard for drinking water quality in a few areas of the building.

These tests reconfirmed that no coliform bacteria has been found in any of the samples in the building.
Affected areas are concentrated in the west wing ground and second floors, and ground east. People in these areas have been notified in person and will receive additional information. Blood tests and any follow-up care will be covered under UCD Workers’ Compensation for university employees. Employees of other entities, following notification, should contact their employer.

We still recommend that you NOT consume the water from the taps or drinking fountains. Until further notice, bottled drinking water will continue to be provided in numerous locations throughout the building. Please call Facilities Dispatch at 303-315-7941 if additional water is needed.

We have already been working on replacement of some existing water lines at Fitzsimons, and will continue to work with the City of Aurora to ensure safe drinking water. And, as a result of the problems with the water in Building 500, UCD administration has decided to do greater sampling throughout the Fitzsimons campus.

We will continue to keep you informed as we have more information.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations
University of Colorado Denver

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Linda.Frawley@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 3:29 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Water Quality on Fitzsimons Campus

THIS MESSAGE IS SENT ON BEHALF OF:

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations

University of Colorado Denver

As you may know, UCD Facilities Operations was notified on October 6^th that recent water tests indicated that the tap water in Building 500 on the Fitzsimons campus may not be safe to consume. Since that warning, UCD Facilities Operations has conducted two rounds of tests within Building 500 and subsequently conducted tests in all other UCD buildings on the Fitzsimons campus.

Facilities Operations just received test results for other UCD buildings on the Fitzsimons campus. Specifically, we tested the 400 series buildings (400, 401, 402, 406, and 407), 531 (the old firehouse), the new Central Utility Plant, the new Environmental Health & Safety Building, PASCAL (the new library archive building), and Research Complex 1.

Two tests were conducted in each location, one for coliform bacteria, and the other for metals (lead and copper). All tests results came back absent of coliform bacteria.

However, all tests for the buildings listed above came back with lead, copper or both exceeding the limit established by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

In the meantime, Facilities Operations will be making arrangements to have additional sources of bottled water and dispensers to be placed in various areas of these buildings. If you do not have bottled water or access to bottled water, please call Facilities Operations Dispatch at 303-315-7941. This will be made available to you at no cost.

Until further notice, please only use bottled water in the following buildings on the Fitzsimons campus: 400 series buildings (400, 401, 402, 406, and 407), 500, 531 (the old firehouse), the new Central Utility Plant, the new Environmental Health & Safety Building, PASCAL (the new library archive building), and Research Complex 1. Our consultants indicate that it is safe to use tap water to wash your hands.

More information will provided early next week on our plans for corrective action, along with a schedule of Town Hall meetings to provide our faculty, staff and students with information and the opportunity to ask questions.

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Linda.Frawley@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 12:36 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Water Quality Update for Fitzsimons

Tuesday, November 7, 2006 UPDATE

Thank you for your patience as we work to identify the source of the water quality issues in several buildings on the Fitzsimons campus.

As our announcement on Friday, November 3rd stated, following the discovery of elevated levels of lead and copper in Building 500, UCD Facilities Operations conducted water tests of buildings that could potentially be served from the same water main. This included the 400 series buildings (400, 401, 402, 406, and 407), 531 (the old firehouse), the new Central Utility Plant, the new Environmental Health & Safety Building, PASCAL (the new library archive building), and Research Complex 1. Since we found elevated levels of lead and copper in old and new buildings, it implied that the problem may be coming into the building, rather than being caused by the age of the lines within the building. Additional samples for various locations throughout RC1 were taken this morning and sent to the CDPHE laboratory for analysis.

Additionally, there have been occupant concerns about the quality of water in the Lazzara Center, Barbara Davis Center, and Ben Nighthorse Campbell Building. These buildings are serviced by new water mains and should not be a problem. However, we will take additional samples for these buildings and have test results by the first of next week.

Consequently, Town Hall meetings for the UCD community are being planned on the Fitzsimons campus for the early part of next week to provide up-to-date information as well as answer any questions you may have. As soon as we have final details for these meetings, we will notify the campus of the meeting times, dates, and locations.

Bottled water and dispensers have been ordered for each of the affected buildings, and additional water can be requested by calling Facilities Operations dispatch at 303-315-7941. Our consultants indicate that it is safe to use tap water to wash your hands.

Again, we thank you for your patience with this matter.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations

University of Colorado Denver

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From: administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Ida.Lambert@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Thursday, November 09, 2006 9:12 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ADMINISTRATIVE-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Town Hall Meeting on Water Quality

The following announcement is being sent on behalf of:
David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations
University of Colorado Denver

Fitzsimons Water Quality Town Hall Meetings

As a follow-up to the water quality issues in several of the buildings on the Fitzsimons campus, Town Hall meetings will be held in the Hensel Phelps Education Auditorium, in the north tower of Research Complex 1 on the Fitzsimons campus:

Monday, 11/13/06, 11:00 a.m. - noon
Tuesday, 11/14/06, 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Presentations will include:

· Background and next steps -
David Turnquist, PE, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Facilities Operations

· Details of sampling and what the levels mean in relations to CDPHE acceptable levels for drinking water -
Louis Mitchell, MPA, Director of Environmental Health and Safety

· Background on medical concerns related to lead and copper in water -
Javier Waksman , MD, DABT, FACMT, Clinical Assistant Professor,
UCD School of Medicine Division of Clinical Pharmacology

There will be a question and answer session following the presentations.

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Tom.Downing@uchsc.edu
Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2006 7:31 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Fitzsimons Water Quality Update

Thank you to the employees who attended the Town Hall Meetings about the water quality issues on the Fitzsimons campus earlier this week.

We promised that we would notify you as soon as we had more information on the water quality testing.

Today, we received new information that we want to share with the Health Sciences Center community. Additional first draw water samples were taken on November 7^th from various water inlets and throughout Research Complex 1. Three additional buildings were included in this round of testing: Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Lazzara Oral-Facial Health Building and the Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building. Test results received late this afternoon showed that both the Lazzara Oral-Facial Health Building and Native Campbell Native Health Building came back with elevated lead levels. The Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes showed no elevated lead levels. Additionally, further testing at Research Complex 1 showed elevated lead and copper levels at the building inlet and in one isolated area. We took additional samples on Monday, November 13^th and will share those results as soon as they are available.

Until we can identify and rectify the source of the elevated lead and copper, please do not drink the tap water and continue to use the bottled water provided for by UCD Facilities Operations. Our consultants indicate that it is safe to use tap water to wash your hands.

We are continuing to work closely with the City of Aurora Water Department to determine the source of the problem. We will continue to be diligent in ensuring the safety of our patients, students, faculty and staff.

There will be a press conference tomorrow at 3 p.m. to discuss the results of the tests.

Again, we thank you for your patience with this matter. If you have concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM

Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations

University of Colorado Denver

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From: administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Ida.Lambert@uchsc.edu
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 9:28 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ADMINISTRATIVE-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Town Hall Meetings on Water Quality

Presenters and Items Discussed at November 13^th and 14^th Town Hall Metings in RC1

Dave Turnquist, AVC Facilities Operations:

Thank you for your continued patience as we continue working to determine the extent and the cause of the elevated levels of lead and copper in the water found in some UCD buildings on the Fitzsimons campus. We are working closely with the City of Aurora to find the source of the metals, and with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to test the samples. We hope to have some answers in the near future so we can work with the city on a plan of action. Facilities will continue to provide bottled drinking water to all affected buildings during this time.

On Monday, November 13^th and Tuesday, November 14^th, we conducted Town Hall meetings in the Hensel Phelps Auditorium in Research Complex 1 for employees to provide detailed information about this problem and to answer their questions and concerns.

The following summary provides information, questions & answers from the Town Hall Meetings, plus up-to-date actions taken on the campus.

HOW IT STARTED:

· VA clinic staff sent samples to a lab in September due to discolored water from a sink in their floor in Building 500. UCD was notified by the VA staff of a problem on October 6, 2006.

ACTIONS TAKEN TO DATE:
October 6^th

· HSC Announcement issued advising occupants of Building 500 not to drink the water.

October 9^th

· Bottled water was placed throughout Building 500 on Monday, October 9^th.
· Sixty water samples were taken from thirty locations (each location was tested for coliform bacteria and for metals) throughout Building 500. This was not a ‘first draw’ sampling.

October 12^th

· HSC Announcement sent to all employees.
· Test results received from samples taken on 10/9. Action items assigned for further testing and dissemination.

October 16^th

· Thirty original locations in Building 500 had additional samples ordered for ‘first draw’ plus 20 additional locations (two samples for each new location; one for coliform bacteria and one for metals) on the ground floor-west and second floor-west. The additional samples were for areas that had shown elevated levels of lead and/or copper from the samples previously taken.

October 20^th

· HSC announcement sent to all employees.
· Inquiries made by staff in other buildings about the quality of water. Decision made to test other buildings on campus.

October 23^rd

· Forty water samples from twenty-three locations (17 locations tested for coliform bacteria, and 23 locations tested for metals) from other buildings (400 series, EHS, PASCAL, CUP, 531, 514).

November 3^rd

·       HSC Announcement sent to all employees.
·       Town Hall meetings planned.
·       Test results received for other buildings on October 23^rd.

November 7^th

· HSC Announcement sent to all employees.
· Twelve additional water samples taken in RC1, and three additional samples taken at the water inlet at Nighthorse Campbell, Oral Health, and Barbara Davis Center buildings.

November 13^th

· Town Hall meeting.
· Water samples taken simultaneously by HSC and the City of Aurora on November 13th. HSC took 15 ‘first draw’ samples, while the City took samples at nearby fire hydrants, then flushed the system. HSC took 14 additional samples after flushing.

· UCH took water samples at the inlets of their buildings.

November 14^th

· Town Hall meeting.

November 15^th

· University of Colorado Hospital notified UCD of elevated lead in some buildings.

November 16^th

· Expanded the group working on the problem. The new group included UCD, the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority (FRA), the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH), The Children’s Hospital (TCH), the City of Aurora Water Services, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

November 17^th

· Developed a sampling protocol to have a uniformity of procedures followed in accordance with CDPHE approved criteria in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule, CFR 141.81. (For more information, see Lou Mitchell’s narrative below)

November 20^th

· Protocol and testing locations reviewed by CDPHE and approved by all parties.

November 21^st

· Water samples taken throughout the campus, inside the buildings and outside for the distribution system. Half of the UCD buildings had samples taken for testing under the Lead and Copper Rule. The other half of the buildings will have samples taken on November 22nd.

TEST RESULTS TO DATE:

· No coliform bacteria found in any sample.
· Buildings with CDPHE accepted water quality are Barbara Davis Center and the Healthy Smiles Dental Clinic (Building 514).

· UCD Buildings that show elevated levels of lead include 400, 401, 402, 406, 407, 500, 531, Research Complex 1, PASCAL, Environmental Health & Safety, the Central Utility Plant, Oral Health and the Nighthorse Campbell buildings. Affected University of Colorado Hospital buildings are Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, CeDAR complex and 2 of 4 Colonels Row buildings.

Lou Mitchell from Environmental Health & Safety:

Environmental Health and Safety is working with the city of Aurora to coordinate our testing time with their flushing times as that can affect the reading of levels of metals in the water. We had joint testing with the city on Monday, 11/13/06, in about six locations on the HSC portion of the campus, and the City took additional samples from other areas of the campus.

The water samples taken prior to November 21^st have been preliminary and investigative. The new protocol described in the actions taken (above) is based upon the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule, CFR 141.81. The purpose of the Lead and Copper Rule is to provide maximum human health protection by reducing lead and copper levels at consumers’ taps.

Kenna Hardenbrook from University Risk Management:

If you are interested in being tested for lead and copper, and you are an HSC employee, you may contact Risk Management for an application. The next date for testing on site will be November 29 and requires a 7-day fast from vitamins or herbal supplements prior to testing. Information on testing for UCD employees can be obtained from Kenna in Risk Management.

Javier Waksman, MC, DABT, FACMT, Clinical Assistant Professor, UCD School of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology

Dr. Waksman is on the faculty at UCD and explained his background and specialty. He explained the difference in testing for lead and copper, and the various medical tests that can be used for either metals. The 18 people tested had normal ranges for lead. Six individuals showed acute levels of copper in their urine, which the doctor explained could be normal for them depending upon age, gender, supplements taken, etc. He indicated that he could meet with each of the 18 to explain what the results indicate, but that none of them should be concerned about the level of copper.

All 18 people work in an affected area for lead, and were notified as soon as the information became available. It was felt that if the 18 in the affected area did not have any indications of lead in their blood, then the people in the unaffected areas would not have a problem either. However, any UCD employee who wants to be tested can be tested and should contact Risk Management.

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Other questions & discussion:

Q: There was a concern about testing water for a number of pregnant women who work in RC1. Can the water be tested where they are located?

A: Yes, we just need to know the locations that the individuals want tested.

Q: Can the City’s water test results for the past few years be made public?
A: The City’s water test results are public record and available on their website. Facilities Operations will research the files to pull and publish the results in an HSC Announcement.

Q: Have the students been notified?
A: If they receive HSC Announcements, then they have been notified. If they opted out of those, the only notification would be through their schools or through the numerous postings throughout the buildings.

Q: What company did the original testing at the VA's request?
A: Orion

Q: Was RC1 tested before opening?
A: The water systems of all new buildings are cleaned, sanitized, and flushed before opening.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations
University of Colorado Denver

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From: facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:facilities-fitzsimons-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Ida.Lambert@uchsc.edu
Sent: Tuesday, December 05, 2006 2:47 PM
To: Multiple recipients of list FACILITIES-FITZSIMONS-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: DECEMBER 6th LEAD AND COPPER TESTING CANCELLED AND RESCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 13th!!

***********************IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT************************

Please be advised that the On-Site Testing for Lead and Copper scheduled for December 6th from 9:00 to Noon has been cancelled and rescheduled at a later date. This is due to a shortage of acid washed cups, which have been on back order and will not arrive until after 12/6/06.

The new date and time is as follows:
This testing is limited to 24 participants on a first come, first serve basis *

DATE                                         TIME                                  LOCATION
DECEMBER 13, 2006          9:00 AM to NOON                Bldg 500 2nd Floor
                                                                                                Room N2221

!! It should be noted that if you plan to have this test !!
No consumption of vitamins and supplements 7 days prior to testing.
Fasting is required. No food after midnight day of the test.
Water consumption day of test is ok.
No consumption of morning prescriptions day of test.

In case you have not already submitted an injury report form: In order to initiate a workers’ compensation claim for the above, you will need to submit an EMPLOYEE'S INJURY REPORT FORM. Portions of the form have been completed for your convenience. This can be completed and submitted electronically at the website below. You may submit this at any time prior to the blood draw.

https://urm.cusys.edu/docs/forms/incident_report_form_leadexp.asp

* You do not have to attend the onsite testing. UCD employees who would like to be tested can be seen at the Rocky Mountain Medical Clinic. You may schedule an appointment by calling 720-748-7072. The Clinic is open M-F, 8 to 5.

Questions regarding the test should be directed to Dr.Ramaswamy with RMMG at 720-748-7072.

Kenna Hardenbrook

University Risk Management

UCD Operations
1380 Lawrence St. Ste 1325
Campus Box A005/135
Denver, CO 80204
303-315-2730
303-315-2757 Fax

http://urm.cusys.edu/

THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS EMAIL IS INTENDED SOLELY FOR THE ADDRESSEE (S) NAMED ABOVE AND IS PRIVILEGED AND/OR CONFIDENTIAL. IF THE READER OF THIS MESSAGE IS NOT THE INTENDED RECIPIENT, YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM READING OR DISCLOSING THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS TRANSMISSION. ANY EXAMINATION, USE, DISSEMINATION, DISTRIBUTION OR COPYING OF THIS COMMUNICATION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS COMMUNICATION IN ERROR, PLEASE PURGE THE EMAIL/DOCUMENTS AND NOTIFY US EITHER BY REPLY EMAIL OR VIA THE PHONE NUMBER LISTED ABOVE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION IN THIS MATTER.

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From: administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu [mailto:administrative-announcements@lists.uchsc.edu] On Behalf Of Ida.Lambert@UCHSC.edu
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 11:43 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list ADMINISTRATIVE-ANNOUNCEMENTS
Subject: Water Quality Meets State Standards

Water Quality Meets State Standards

We have verified that water inside University of Colorado Hospital buildings and most University of Colorado Denver buildings at the Anschutz Medical Campus meet Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) water quality standards.

The recent testing, completed by the CDPHE, was done after previous samples last fall found elevated levels of lead in the water at some buildings at the Fitzsimons site. CDPHE suggested a change to the procedure to reflect the Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria for sample collection and location in the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule. The Rule states that the test locations must be sinks in kitchens and break rooms where people drink the water.

The new cooperative testing protocol – adopted by the UCD, the University of Colorado Hospital, the City of Aurora, the Fitzsimons Redevelopment Authority and The Children’s Hospital - collected samples from 48 buildings. In all, the joint effort took more than 70 samples on three separate occasions in November and December. The CDPHE then tested the samples.

Even before the new protocol was begun, we took immediate precautions to protect patients, visitors and employees by stocking our buildings with bottled water. We also offered toxicology tests to UCD employees who worked in the suspect buildings. All toxicology exams were negative for lead for both university and hospital employees.

Then we, at UCD, along with UCH, the City of Aurora and the CDPHE began a more rigorous, multi-month battery of tests to see if the earlier results could be verified. If they could, the new tests also would help define the scope of any problem, its source and its solution.

Those results show water quality on the campus does meet state standards.

UCD and UCH buildings on campus will be switching back to regular water sources during the next 24 hours. Several older UCD buildings – including Bldg 500 and the 400 series of buildings – still show slightly elevated levels of lead in the water at certain places, and the reasons have been identified. UCD will continue to supply bottled water in those locations while it completes the appropriate remediation work. The remediation work consists of pipe replacement. This is expected to be designed and installed within the next six to nine months in the affected buildings.

We realize that this has been a frustrating and worrisome experience and we sincerely regret any inconvenience. Your welfare and safety have always been our top priority. We appreciate your patience during this lengthy, yet important, process.

David C. Turnquist, PE, CFM
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Facilities Operations
University of Colorado Denver

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HSC Announcements on Water Quality at Fitzsimons

Testing results

Additional medical opinion by Javier Waksman, MD, Rocky Mountain Poison Control

Actions taken

FAQ

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