Editorial: Collier County Public Schools ... water for students, staff ought to pass safety test

The headlines the other day told of tainted water at four Collier County public schools.

The story accompanying those headlines explained that over the past three years samples with at least one dangerous component — such as copper or lead — have been taken and analyzed at Palmetto, Estates and Sabal Palm elementary schools and Cypress Palm Middle School.

As various experts quoted in that story said, it is important to keep all of this in context: There is no imminent danger to students’ health.

Nonetheless, over time, these substances can build up and make you sick.

In even plainer language, we would add this: Schools are supposed to be safe, enriching places. A drink of clean water should not be too much to ask. Our children and the employees at those and all schools deserve nothing less.

If it takes bottled water in the short term, so be it.

We are glad that periodic tests are taken so that problems can be corrected. Standards are in place for a reason.

Let’s fix the problems and move on.