The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention said sludge was released into the town of Lisbon’s public drinking water system, and it is testing it for possible arsenic contamination.
The Lisbon Water Department issued a “do not drink” order Thursday afternoon.
Lisbon Water Department’s interim general manager, Shellie Reynolds, said that the filters had failed and allowed too much sludge into the drinking water, resulting in a possible high level of arsenic.
The order on Thursday came just hours after the department posted to its Facebook page that the water was safe to drink.
The release of sludge into the public drinking water system does not affect private drinking wells or areas outside of this specified catchment.
Water should not be used for drinking, preparing food or ice cubes until it is confirmed safe to drink. Boiling water will not make it safe for human or animal consumption.
The Maine CDC said the public can continue to use water to bathe, wash dishes or water yards. However, if the water is discolored, residents run the faucet until the water looks clear.
The Maine CDC took samples of drinking water to test for potential arsenic contamination. Results are expected as early as Friday afternoon.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that public water systems provide drinking water with no more than 10 parts per billion of arsenic.
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 Sept. 4.
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.
Lisbon residents said Wednesday that their water will usually turn brown and murky up to three times or more a year.
Pallets of water have been acquired to distribute to customers serviced by the Lisbon Water Department.
From 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Friday the Lisbon Emergency Response Team and volunteers will be at the Lisbon Public Works Department where affected residents can get a supply of bottled water.
The Lisbon Water Department said residents may also pick up for those who can’t drive to the distribution center. One case per household. The supply is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To access the water distribution center located at 14 Capital Ave., turn onto Capital Avenue from Route 196 at the corner of Walgreens. Residents will be directed to a loading area at the front of the Public Works entrance.
