The following is an update from Boothbay Region school officials to parents and residents regarding the discovery on Thursday, March 30, of elevated lead levels found in the water supplies in Boothbay Region Elementary School and Boothbay Region High School.

April 13, 2017

To: Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Parents and Residents;

We would like to update you on the water issues in the Boothbay Schools.

We have received a second set of test results that were shared with the local paper and the School Committee last night. Copies of these results may be found on the district website (http://aos98schools.org) under ‘News’ and at the Superintendent’s Office.

This is a summary of steps that have been taken since we first reported our findings:

• A ban on all water consumption for drinking or cooking remains in effect.
• We have met twice with Jon Ziegra to discuss remediation steps.
• We have met with Bill Arsenault to order and begin replacing failing fixtures beginning next week.
• We have contracted with Dirigo Engineering to develop a long-term plan for addressing water quality and will also begin that work next week.
• We have contacted Dr. Andrew Smith, the state of Maine’s toxicologist at the Center for Disease Control for advice on potential health risks.
• We are conducting two additional rounds of tests on those fixtures with the highest levels at Dr. Smith’s request to provide him with additional data so that he may offer further advice based on the best information possible.
• We have shared all of our data and test results with Dr. Smith and with Dr. Steven Feder. Dr. Feder has agreed to share the results with the remaining doctors in the Lincoln Medical Group. They represent the best resource for getting answers to health concerns.
• We will be holding an informational meeting for parents and community members when school resumes after April vacation.
• We will continue to share information as it becomes available to us.

We understand how concerning the reports of lead in our school drinking water can be for parents, staff, and community members. We are concerned as well and have been in touch with all recommended authorities continuously since March 30th.

Please reach out to us in the Superintendent’s office with any questions that you may have. If we are not able to answer your questions, we will contact those who have been working with us from the state, our local doctors, engineers, and water experts and report back to you.

This memo will also be sent home with all students April 14th.

Sincerely,

Eileen King, Superintendent, AOS 98

Shawn Carlson, Assistant Superintendent, AOS 98