East Rockford Middle School disabled their drinking fountains Thursday after the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality tested their well for contaminants from an old dumping site used by Wolverine Worldwide. Friday, Dr. Michael Shibler, Superintendent for Rockford Public Schools said they’re now testing water at three other schools: Crestwood, Lakes, and Cannonsburg Elementary. Those schools all use water from wells.
Wanda Barrentine, a Rockford resident, came home Thursday to bottled water and two $50 Meijer gift cards courtesy of Wolverine Worldwide, but says the gesture won’t take away the years of possible harm endured by her family.
“I used to exercise a lot and would drink a lot of water, and maybe this is the culprit,” Stanton said.
After talking with Wanda, she allowed FOX 17 NEWS to walk her property, and it didn’t take long for the crew to locate what she now believes to be a former dump site. The area is littered with hunks of leather hides and scraps, rubber soles, and heavy machinery.
Wanda said the test results for her home should come in four weeks.