The Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning are investigating how recycled water was connected to the drinking supply of Mount Ridley College in Craigieburn.
Yarra Valley Water was conducting maintenance at the school when they noticed the problem. The company has now begun cleaning out the pipes at the school’s Year 5-12 campus before the water supply can be reconnected.
Recycled water is normally used for flushing toilets or watering gardens. However, there is a danger it may be contaminated with human waste and may cause students to become sick.
The school’s principal, Lino Pagano, told The Educator that Yarra Valley Water and the College were working to ensure the supply was returned to normal as quickly as possible.
“In the interim, bottled drinking water has been provided to the College for drinking until the issue is resolved,” Pagano said.
“The Department of Health and Human Services is working with the College to ensure that the school community is provided with regular updates, and relevant health and other information.
“We have informed all parents and staff at the College. Students and staff on the Prep to Year 4 site are not affected by this incident.”
In a similar incident revealed earlier this year, a drinking fountain at St Peters College's Cranbourne East campus was mistakenly pumped with water from the Eastern Treatment Plant. Two plumbers later faced disciplinary action as a result.