Students in kindergarten through fifth grade in the South Butler County School District will continue to wash their hands in cold water until school officials resolve issues with Legionella bacteria in the hot water tanks.

Superintendent David Foley on Thursday announced that the method used by Intertek PSI to heat the water and kill the Legionella found in the tanks in the primary and intermediate elementary schools was unsuccessful.

“While our results show lower levels of Legionella, it unfortunately is not gone,” he said.

The tanks were more thoroughly flushed and heated again, and water samples were taken and sent to the lab.

Foley said he will share the results once they arrive in seven to 10 days.

“Until we get water test results that do not show Legionella bacteria, hot water will be shut off to our handwashing stations in the affected buildings,” he said. “For the foreseeable future, students will continue to wash their hands with soap and cold water, then they will be provided hand sanitizer to avoid residual germs.”

While inconvenient, Foley said the measure is necessary.

“Once again, I will reiterate that the health and safety of our students and staff are our highest concern,” Foley said.

He decided to test the district's hot water tanks after Legionella was found in tanks at the Fox Chapel School District in Allegheny County.