Lisbon Water Department has issued Do Not Drink Order
AUGUSTA -- The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (Maine CDC) Drinking Water Program is responding to the release of sludge from the Lisbon Water Department into the town's public drinking water system.
The Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program worked with the Lisbon Water Department to take samples of drinking water yesterday afternoon -- Thursday, August 29, 2024 -- to test for potential arsenic contamination. The Drinking Water Program has expedited the tests and expects the results as early as this afternoon, Friday, August 30th. The Drinking Water Program will release the results of these tests on its website. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that public water systems provide drinking water with no more than 10 parts per billion of arsenic.
At the direction of the Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program yesterday, the Lisbon Water Department posted a Do Not Drink order for customers of the water district, which includes Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, and Lisbon Village. The release of sludge into the public drinking water system does not impact private drinking wells or areas outside of this specified catchment.
The Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program is also sampling the sludge directly to identify the level of arsenic concentration and help estimate the level of exposure during the release. The Drinking Water Program anticipates the results of these tests by next Wednesday, September 4, 2024.
Water should not be used for drinking, preparing food or ice cubes for yourself, other people, or pets, until it is confirmed safe to drink, following testing. Boiling water will not make it safe for consumption.
The public can continue to use water to bathe, wash dishes, or water your yard. However, if your water is discolored, run the faucet until the water looks clear.
Arsenic can enter the body through water or food or an open wound, and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach bleeding, brain swelling, fast or irregular heart rhythm, low blood pressure, unconsciousness, or death.
The Maine CDC encourages people who are concerned about health effects from arsenic to call Northern New England Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and tell them you are concerned about exposure to arsenic.
Call your doctor or the emergency department if you develop any unusual signs or symptoms within 24 hours after consuming water possibly contaminated with arsenic, especially: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, severe weakness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing, or increased pain or discharge from injured eyes.