Evergreen High School closed due to lack of water service

Evergreen High School was dismissed early Wednesday after a plumbing problem left 1,700 students and 200 staff members without a supply of fresh water.

After several hours, the problem was traced to a backflow connection, which is installed where the school’s water supply connects to the city’s system.

The problem was resolved and students can return to class Thursday, according to an alert from the district.

Backflow prevention devices protect drinkable water from contamination. They prevent any possibility of contaminated water flowing back into the water system.

The water went out at the campus about noon, and the district ultimately sent students home shortly after 1 p.m.

Buses were available to take students home after the early closure, but after-school sports continued at nearby fields, including the district 4A and 3A track meet at McKenzie Stadium.

Because students were in class Wednesday, they will not need to make up the lost time as though it were a snow day.

Evergreen High School is at 14300 N.E. 18th St. and is part of Evergreen Public Schools.