Well water a pipe dream

Until the wish list comes true, bottled water will have to do.

And at Central Gaither and Barry elementary schools in the Yuba City area, it seems to be doing pretty well.

"They thought that was the coolest," Barry school principal Tom Walters said of students reaction to the bottled water supplies that began a half-dozen years ago.

Wells in the area produce hard water rich in minerals that doesn't meet new federal standards. Moreover, Steve Plaxco, director of maintenance for the Yuba City Unified School District, said of the well water that, "it's almost salty tasting."

A recent "wish list" survey of improvements sought by schools in the Yuba City Unified district included Barry Elementary's desire for a permanent water supply, among other needs.

Plaxco said yet-to-be developed technology could solve the water issue and one day make bottled water unnecessary. But until then the two schools are expected to continue the arrangement that has Barry Elementary averaging monthly bottled water use of 935 gallons and Central Gaither a total of 482 gallons.

New wells were drilled at both schools several years ago in an unsuccessful try to find better water.

"I don't see an end to the bottled water," principal Walters said.

Drinking fountains at both school sites - located outside the Yuba City limits — were shut down and removed, Plaxco said. Classrooms provide bottled water that is also brought outside during the day in portable containers.

Debbie Everett, principal at Central Gaither, said plenty of water dispensers are provided.

Plaxco said the school district contracts with a Grass Valley firm for monthly water testing at the two schools as required by the state.

He praised the state Department of Health Services and its Redding office for its work with the school district on the water issue that led to the bottled water.

"Those guys have been great," he said.

"They really worked with us," Plaxco added, "to see what is the best solution."

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appeal-democrat.com.