The water violation notification posted on the front doors of Moniteau High School is proof that the state Department of Environmental Protection remains firm in requiring full compliance with regulations and required procedures by those whom it oversees.

That attitude is correct.

But in Moniteau's case, the state agency doesn't merit high marks for its failure to help Moniteau avoid the embarrassment of having such a notification greet those entering the school — especially since the water at the school apparently is safe.

Rather than staunch reliance on the premise that it's the responsibility of permit holders to know when testing requirements have changed, the DEP wouldn't undermine its work schedule by mailing an official informational reminder to those so affected.

Moniteau's run-in with the DEP resulted from a routine water test in September that turned up what DEP described as volatile organic compounds.

"The concentration was well within the standard," said Freda Tarbell, a spokeswoman for DEP's Meadville office. "But it was at a level where the equipment detected it. When that occurs, the monitoring has to change. They have to go to a quarterly monitoring."

That required a water test at the school in the fourth quarter of 2008, rather than for water testing to continue on an annual basis.

For whatever reason, Jeff Campbell, the director of buildings and grounds, who also serves as water, sewage and environmental compliance supervisor for the district, wasn't aware that the testing requirement had changed — although, as Tarbell rightly indicated, he had the responsibility of knowing.

The absence of a fourth-quarter test, as required, put the school district in hot water with the state environmental agency. And, that omission was the basis for the notice posted at the school — and, the understandable embarrassment and need for an explanation to parents and taxpayers that followed.

The explanation of what happened took place at Monday's Moniteau School Board meeting.

At the meeting, Campbell said, "We do not and have not ever failed to comply with any testing requirements as set forth in the annual monitoring calendar; we also keep for public display all test results from water testing for anyone to review at any time."

Also at the meeting, board member Michael Panza read an e-mail from the DEP sanitarian, Eric Bishop, to Campbell that said, "I failed to notify you. I am very sorry for my error."

Which prompts the thought:

If Campbell wasn't aware of the changing requirement, it's possible that others in positions like Campbell's would have reacted in the way that he did — not realizing that additional testing would be needed so soon.

The DEP can't be faulted for trying to ensure that regulations are followed completely, but it should try harder to ensure that seemingly benign instances of non-compliance, such as in Moniteau's case, don't occur.

Both the DEP and Moniteau have more important things to do than spend time resolving what, in this case, was such a minor problem.