Cumberland County approves point-of-use water treatment for Grays Creek and Alderman elementary schools

Cumberland County commissioners voted unanimously Jan. 27 to install point-of-use reverse-osmosis drinking-water systems at Grays Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools and to continue evaluating longer-term fixes.

The board approved the infrastructure committee’s recommendation to proceed with an immediate “option 1” installation of reverse-osmosis (RO) systems at fixtures in both schools, saying the systems could be installed within about four months. Commissioners also directed staff to investigate option 2 (a point-of-entry granular activated carbon system) and option 3 (replacement deep wells) and return with further actions and cost information.

Why it matters: commissioners said the measure provides an urgently needed, interim way to supply safe drinking water while the county and school officials pursue more permanent solutions. Commissioner Tyson, a member of the infrastructure committee, said the action is intended to prevent students from relying on bottled water and to ensure school drinking water meets standards.

County staff presented three cost-and-schedule options after the infrastructure committee reviewed earlier analyses from the Jan. 14 meeting. Staff recommended option 1 because it is faster to deploy: point-of-use RO units can be installed at plumbing fixtures in two to four months. Staff said options 2 and 3 would require additional study and a longer procurement and construction timeline—roughly seven months to a year to complete both the point-of-entry and deep-well alternatives.

Amanda Lee, identified in the presentation as the county’s general manager for natural resources, outlined the three options and told commissioners the infrastructure committee recommended moving forward with the RO systems now and studying point-of-entry and well replacement in parallel. County Manager Grier (as listed in the meeting record) said the county would seek summer installation windows to minimize disruption.

Commissioners asked whether the county or the school system would own and maintain the units after installation. Staff said the county would install the equipment but the school system would assume ongoing operation and routine maintenance as part of its regular annual budget and facilities responsibilities. The board also noted continuing coordination with PwC under a previously signed agreement and that additional MOU-related actions may come in the next two to three months.

Motion and outcome: Commissioner Patel moved to approve option 1 (install point-of-use RO systems at Grays Creek and Alderman Road elementary schools) and to direct staff to investigate options 2 and 3; the motion was properly seconded and passed unanimously (7–0).

What’s next: staff will schedule installations (staff estimated a two- to four-month timeframe for the RO systems) and continue technical and cost analyses for the point-of-entry and deep-well options. The infrastructure committee will return with further recommendations and cost estimates for board consideration.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article include county staff and commissioners who presented or asked questions during the agenda item.