The water we drink in Port Huron isn't as polluted as many may believe. That's according to the St. Clair County Community College's Water Monitoring program. The Sc4 Board of Trustees heard updates on the program and how successful it has been, during their regular meeting Thursday. Over the past 3 years Chemistry Professor Larry Mavis and his students have been testing local waterways. They haven't found any priority pollutants, which are regulated by the EPA. Professor Mavis tells us this program is important for the area due because there is a lot of perception that there is a problem,if there is a problem they bring it to peoples attention and correct it, if there is not then they try to make the rumors go away. Testing years ago used to cost up to $3,000, says Mavis, but with modern advances testing now cost $50 per sample. He notes that with more funding the program would be able to do further testing. After the regular meeting the board then held a closed door session to discuss labor negotiations. Sc4 English Professor John Lusk, who has taught at the college for 30 years, says teachers have been without contracts since August. He spoke during the public comment section criticizing the board for not having an open-session for the the labor negotiations.
