Bloom Trail High School Finally Gets Lake Michigan Drinking Water

For the first time in its history, has Lake Michigan water flowing through its pipes. 

Thanks to a partnership between South Chicago Heights Mayor David Owen, Bloom Township High School District 206 and a team of engineers, students will be able to drink the water coming out of the water fountains. 

Previously the school used well water from Sauk Village that had been pumped through a filtration system, which caused the pipes to rust. This led to the water having a rusty yellow color.

Now, with the addition of a pipe connecting to South Chicago Heights' Lake Michigan water line, students will get the same water the people of Chicago get.

Architect Mario Planera, who helped coordinate the project, pointed out the importance of the new pipe, noting that the project started in 2005.

"This is truly going to be one of those do-you-remember-when moments," Planera said. "People will be saying, 'Do you remember when you couldn't touch the water, couldn't drink the water because it looked all yellow and rusted?'"

The project to get Bloom Trial clean drinking water costed nearly $1 million total.

District 206 Superintendent Lenell Navarre invited Bloom Trail senior Randall Peterson, who is projected to be a valedictorian for the class of 2013, to take the first drink of water.

See what Randall thought of the water in the video above.

Bloom Trail officials, South Chicago Heights Mayor David Owen Bloom 206 board President Henry Drake and board member Robert Rossi were in attendance as well. 

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