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PLYMOUTH — The water at Wyoming Valley West High School as been unclear since Monday and so has the reason for the issue.

School board Vice President Dave Usavage said he was informed of the situation on Monday afternoon, and the district was quick to act, ensuring that students would not miss any school days nor any school meals.

“Initially the kids thought they would be sent home,” he said. “But we immediately brought in bottled water for students and fresh water for cooking.”

As for lunches, Usavage said the students were able to have full lunches, although they were unable to have pasta on Monday.

“The students had lunch as scheduled throughout the week,” said Usavage.

Usavage said the district had received notice that the muddy water was due to annual flushing of water by Pennsylvania American Water Company and a broken fire hydrant.

“I believe our water will be clear by Friday,” he said.

Susan Turcmanovich, Pennsylvania American Water spokesperson, however, said that she could not make such assurances.

“We were flushing that area, but not until Monday night,” she said. “Any sediment or discoloration in the water earlier on Monday couldn’t be attributed to flushing.”

Turcmanovich said the school district had not yet contacted the water company.

“We need to find out what’s going on,” she said.

Turcmanovich said she anticipated being in contact with the district on Thursday.

In the meantime, Usavage said the district would ensure that water for cooking and drinking would be made available to the school by the district.

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By Geri Gibbons

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Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons