Dingman-Delaware water problems just won't go away

WESTFALL - Furious parents demanded solutions Jan. 11 after the latest in a series of drinking water problems surfaced at the Dingman-Delaware Elementary School. Drinking water systems at all three of the school buildings on the Dingman-Delaware campus have now experienced problems in the past year. Delaware Valley Schools District Superintendent Dr. Candis Finan told the board of education last Thursday that a chlorination system was being installed after the district learned on Jan. 10 that higher than allowable coliform counts were detected in the most recent monthly Department of Environmental Protection test sampling. Finan emphasized that the coliform bacteria are not “the pathogenic disease sort” that in themselves cause illness. Director of Support Services Marvin Eversdyke said the state agency did not characterize the situation as an emergency situation. “All we’re required to do is post a notice and solve the problem in 30 days,” he said. Despite the state’s low level concern, Eversdyke said the district installed bottled drinking water and sent letters home to the elementary and middle school parents, in an effort “to go the extra mile to make sure the public doesn’t get too aroused.” He reiterated Finan’s point, saying that the coliform bacteria is commonly found in soils. While it is a parameter the state doesn’t like in the water, “they are not pathogenic and they won’t make you sick.” Additionally, “We’re doing major flushing of the system,” Eversdyke said. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says “coliform bacteria are common in the environment and are generally not harmful. However, the presence of these bacteria in drinking water is usually a result of a problem with the treatment system or the pipes which distribute water, and indicates that the water may be contaminated with germs that can cause disease.” Two parents at the sparsely attended session were not satisfied. “This is the fifth year (of discussion). It’s been put off and put off. Why is it so hard to get drinking water for kids?”parent Diane French said. French recalled plans for a water tower and a permanent solution. “This is ridiculous,” she added. “If this had something to do with sports at the high school, it would get done. We’re tired of coming down here. We thought this was fixed. Where’s the priority?” she said. School officials blamed the state for the lack of a permanent solution. Board Vice-President Sue Casey said “There’s not a person on this board that wouldn’t do it. DEP has not given us a plan,” she said. Board President John Wroblewski agreed that DEP, which was tasked with drafting and certifying a corrective plan, is “dragging its feet... We have to stop having these water issues. If I had a child at Dingman Delaware I’d have real concerns,” he said. “If my kids are vomiting from the drinking water tomorrow, I’m going to be knocking on your door,” parent Deanna Margiore told them. “Stop telling us it’s a priority and make it happen,” she said in a rising voice. Finan rejected charges that the board ignored the problem. “I’m not saying we don’t have a Dingman-Delaware water issue, but it’s not fair to say we’ve not acted. In five years combined, we have responded, but DEP is very slow,” she said. Eversdyke said the district has written to DEP twice a month, since August, the latest one during the holidays. That letter proposes the district’s own design, including a centralized system for all three buildings, a pump station and a 50,000 gallon tank. “We’re trying to push it forward. They say they’re significantly understaffed and we’re a low priority, not a serious problem,” he said. Still, District Solicitor Michael Weinstein admitted that until DEP issues a permit for the work, “we’re just spinning our wheels.” Board member Bob Goldsack said the point has to be made to the state in a “threatening letter,” that “the community is up in arms and this has got to get done.” Goldsack said the board had hoped to find a less expensive alternative than a tower which could cost more than $1 million. But, he said, now problems have arisen again. “I don’t want to spend the money either, but it’s got to be done.” Board member Jack Fisher warned that the board’s tax increase cap, approved last month, could not be maintained if the project is funded. Weinstein said a district engineer’s evaluation and a board review of that evaluation should be done before the board contacts DEP. “This project will take a couple of years,” he predicted. This last problem arose almost exactly a year after a contractor’s error spilled an improper mix of an agent used to neutralize acidic water into the middle school water supply, rendering it unusable. In April, a power outage was blamed for creating a vacuum which drew detergent from a janitor’s closet into the Primary School system prompting bottled water use there. The district conducted extensive cleaning of the middle school well during the summer break and Eversdyke reported in August that the system was running clear and was ready for use again.