By Elora Brow
Staff Writer
A year after the math and science building opened in 2013, hydrogen sulfide has been dissolving in the water and coming out of the hot and cold water supplies in all of the classrooms, causing a smell to be produced in the math and science building when hot water is used after a long period of time.
According to Physics teacher Jonathon Lewis, stagnant water in the water heating system is reacting with sacrificial anode, therefore releasing the fumes. According to Costa Principal Dr. Ben Dale, a permanent solution has not been found yet, as they have tried many times to fix the smell but it keeps coming back.
“Many teachers have been complaining about the smell in their classrooms when they try to use the hot water, although, recently the water has seemed to not be as affected by the smell,” Dale said.
Although the effects of the sulfur in the pipes are not dangerous, as stated by Lewis, the smell has caused students and teachers to refrain from using the sinks in their classrooms when the smell gets really bad.
“The hydrogen sulfide doesn’t pose any threat to the health of the students and teachers because it is coming in low concentrations. The only problem is that the water smells,” Lewis said.
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