More than 20 years ago, the water at West Amwell School was found to be heavily polluted because of contamination of Alexauken Creek by nearby Lehigh Fluid Power.
The company was fined for its chemical pollution of the stream and forced to maintain a three-stage carbon water filtration system as well as pay for a monthly test of the drinking water.
But school officials went a step further and did a monthly test themselves to ensure the health and well-being of their students.
It was a smart move and a considerate one.
The students were forced to drink bottled water again as they did for a long time more than 20 years ago when it was found that the water at the school contained unacceptable levels of fecal coliform bacteria. This time, school and Hunterdon County Health Department officials feel the contamination was due to new plumbing and filtration systems installed in August.
The water has since tested negative for the bacteria after the new systems were chlorinated and flushed out. But again, the school has erred on the side of caution by continuing to use bottled water for another couple weeks, making sure subsequent tests stay pure.
West Amwell School officials are to be commended for their extra precautions to keep the children safe and healthy.
