*UPDATE : CDC says order can now be lifted * Lisbon DO NOT DRINK WATER- contaminated with arsenic

[eShirl]

Last edited Fri Aug 30, 2024, 05:29 PM - Edit history (5)

UPDATE - https://www.lisbonme.org/
Last Updated: August 30, 2024 - 4:20pm

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.

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**Urgent Water Safety Alert: Arsenic Contamination Warning - Do Not Drink or Use Water for Food Preparation**
Last Updated: August 29, 2024 - 8:25pm

https://www.lisbonme.org/home/urgent-alerts/urgent-water-safety-alert-arsenic-contamination-warning-do-not-drink-or-use-water



The Lisbon Water Department is working with Maine CDC to protect the health of people and animals who might have been exposed to potentially high levels of arsenic after Wednesday morning’s accidental release, and to determine when it is safe to consume the water

- Do not use your water to drink or prepare food or ice cubes for yourself, other people, or pets, until you receive more information from a reliable source. Boiling water will not make it safe for consumption.

- You 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 get into your 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.

- If you are concerned about health effects from arsenic, call your local poison control center at 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.



The Lisbon Emergency Response Team is activated and working to acquire resources. To avoid confusion and misinterpretation, please await further information from official Town of Lisbon Communications or the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. Is this an Androscoggin river issue?

If so, does this effect LA, or is this downstream?

[eShirl]

4. pretty sure we'd have heard a lot more about it if so

I can't find any more info

[Stargazer99]

2. How in the hell did it get in the water? If it can be tracked down-make it damn painful to the business

that thinks it can get away with it.

[eShirl]

7. Main Public (link) says sludge was "released into the system"

https://www.mainepublic.org/health/2024-08-30/lisbon-under-do-not-drink-order-after-sludge-contamination-prompts-arsenic-testing

The Lisbon Water District issued a do not drink order on Thursday after sludge was released into its system.

Arsenic contamination test results should be available by Friday afternoon, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control.

It will be interesting to hear where the sludge came from and how it ended up getting released into drinking water.

[FemDemERA]

3. K & R

[eShirl]

5. if it's like my local water company...

they may have to wait several days for tests to come back from the testing entity (not sure if state or private), before they can give the all-clear for drinking

[eShirl]

6. (WMTW) Lisbon offering 1 case of bottled drinking water per household affected by order

https://www.wmtw.com/article/town-of-lisbon-offering-water-for-residents-effected-by-do-not-drink-order-at-public-works-starting-at-7-30/62016340

LISBON, Maine —

The town of Lisbon is offering cases of water for residents affected by the do-not-drink order.

That order is in place until further notice as the town believes the water might have high levels of arsenic in it. Many residents were seeing brown or yellowish water coming from their faucets.

Cases of water will be available beginning at 7:30 a.m. at the Public Works department. However, the town is putting a limit of one case per household on the bottled water.

Town officials are urging people not to use the water for making ice cubes, brushing your teeth, or cooking.

[eShirl]

8. CDC says town can lift the emergency order now

see update I edited in at the top of original post