April 15, 2003 – While the Education Department announced on Monday that the water at Peace Corps School is now free of harmful coliform bacteria, parents are advised to send their children to school with a supply of drinking water.
William I. Frett, St. Thomas-St. John schools superintendent, said that testing last Wednesday by Caribbean Safewater Labs found no fecal coliform bacteria in the school's water system.
The Planning and Natural Resources Department Environmental Protection Division found in a late February inspection that the ultraviolet system used to disinfect the school's water supply was not working. Tests showed the presence of fecal coliform bacteria.
Frett said in a Monday release that the Education Department has replaced the malfunctioning part of the ultraviolet system, added chlorine to the water system and installed new filters. He also said the department, per order from DPNR, will keep a log of "activities associated with the drinking-water system."
Education Department spokeswoman Juel Anderson said that testing will continue over the next few weeks, and Peace Corps students should continue to take their own drinking water to school.
Leonard Reed, DPNR assistant environmental enforcement director, was off island Tuesday and could not be reached for comment. The department's spokeswoman, Annette Morales, did not return several telephone calls made throughout Tuesday.
Publisher's note : Like the St. Thomas Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
