The Karns City School Board agreed to spend more than $21,000 to prepare the high school plumbing system to accept water from a new supplier.

The board agreed to purchase $9,953 in plumbing equipment from B.M. Cramer and Company and hired TUDI Mechanical Systems to do the installation for $11,563.

D&D Miller Water Co., a private water company in Karns City, is the current water supplier for the high school, Superintendent Eric Ritzert said.

The Petroleum Valley Regional Water Authority of Petrolia installed a line that runs in front of the school to provide water to area residents two years ago, but the district didn’t tap into the line.

Ritzert said the owner of D&D is considering retiring and selling the business, possibly to Petroleum, so the district wants to be prepared to connect the school to Petroleum’s system.

“We can’t switch over without permission,” Ritzert said. “We’re just trying to be ready, so if and when that day comes we’ll be ready to do so.”

He said the district needs approval from both suppliers to make the switch and has had informal talks with both, but hasn’t formally requested permission.

The plumbing equipment is being ordered and will be installed in December or January, he said.

The planned switch is not directly related to the water problems the district has experienced since the beginning of the school year.

Bottled water will continue to be provided at the high school and both elementary schools until the engineering firm Gannett Fleming determines the water in the buildings is safe to drink, Ritzert said.

Results of the most recent tests taken in September show elevated levels of lead and copper in several water fixtures.

The results from tests taken at the elementary schools last week and tests scheduled at the high school for Wednesday or next week will be posted on the district website, Ritzert said.