Pump problem knocks out water to North Stonington schools

North Stonington — The town’s elementary school and Wheeler Middle/High School were without water for several hours Monday afternoon due to an electrical failure at the water pump.

Superintendent of Schools Peter Nero said school officials discovered the schools had low water pressure around 11 a.m. Monday. Soon after the schools lost water, which Nero said had happened a couple of times in the past.

The school system had a plan to deal with water loss, he said, and hand sanitzer was on hand for students to use.

The pump station, off of Norwich-Westery Road, is run by the Southeastern Connecticut Water Authority and serves roughly 250 customers including Holly Green Plaza and Town Hall. General Manager Josh Cansler said that an electrical issue over the weekend failed to turn on a second pump, causing the tank to go dry.

The tank replaced one thatfailed in June 2015.

Initally SCWA thought the water issue could be resolved quickly but it ended up taking about an hour and a half longer

North Stonington — Eight students will be headed to the regional Invention Convention semifinals on April 9 at Goodwin College.

Thirty-one students from grades three through five presented their inventionsto a panel of educators on Wednesday, March 3.

Those selected will compete for a chance at the state event on April 29 at the University of Connecticut.

The winners, announced by teacher Jane Servidio, were as follows:

Fifth grade: first place, Katelyn Pierce for “Sleeve Be Gone,” second place Keiran Boscoe for “Brake Your Fall.”

Fourth grade: first place, Sophie Broderick for “Chemo Thera Pops,” second place, Chase Beattie for “Extension Invention,” third place, Nadia Ratib-Eixarch for “Feather Boa Saver,” honorable mention to Samantha Abate for her “Canine Hot Legs.”

Third grade: John Schwabb for his “Pet Potty Alert,” second place, Lily Vaillancourt for her “No Snow Wristo.”