Aug 30, 2024

Expedited test results received this afternoon by Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program show the public drinking water in Lisbon is well-below EPA threshold for arsenic and is safe to consume

AUGUSTA- The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced today that it has advised the Lisbon Water Department that its Do Not Drink order issued Thursday can now be lifted, after the Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program received expedited water sample test results that show the public drinking water is safe to consume.

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 following the release of sludge from the Lisbon Water Department into the town's public drinking water system.

The State's Drinking Water Program received those test results this afternoon - Friday, August 30, 2024 - which show the presence of arsenic at 1-3 parts per billion, well below the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's requirement of no more than 10 parts per billion for public drinking water systems.

The Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program has shared these results with the Lisbon Water Department and has advised that it may now lift the Do Not Drink Order. The Lisbon Water Department is responsible for instituting and lifting the order.

The Lisbon Water Department posted a Do Not Drink order for customers of the water district - which includes Lisbon, Lisbon Falls, and Lisbon Village - yesterday at the direction of the Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program following the release of the sludge. The release of sludge into the public drinking water system did 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, which has now been mitigated. The Drinking Water Program anticipates the results of these tests next week - likely Thursday September 5,2024.

The Maine CDC today also stood up syndromic surveillance - including surveying Lisbon resident encounters with local hospital emergency departments and health care providers - for symptoms related to arsenic poisoning. At this point in time, the Maine CDC sees no evidence of any increase in symptoms. The Maine CDC will continue to conduct syndromic surveillance over the weekend.

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.

The State's Drinking Water Program staff remained onsite today. Questions about the release of the sludge into the public drinking water system should be directed to the Lisbon Water Department.

Test results received by the Maine CDC's Drinking Water Program today are provided in the attachment.