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District says PFAS treatment installed at schools; $1.01 million state grant funded initial work
Summary
District staff said testing in 2022 found elevated PFAS in some school water supplies; the district received a $1,010,000 grant from the state drinking‑water program, installed treatment units in summer 2023 and has spent about $649,000 to date; additional well connections remain to be completed.
Dawn (staff) updated the board on PFAS testing and remediation in district schools, saying testing in July and August 2022 found elevated PFAS levels and the district followed Maine Drinking Water Program guidance.
Dawn said the district applied for and received a $1,010,000 grant from the state drinking‑water program. That funding paid for PFAS treatment systems installed in summer 2023 at Frank Jewett, Hollis Elementary, Bonny Eagle High School and Bonny Eagle Middle School, which Dawn said made the water drinkable in those buildings.
When Maine lowered acceptable PFAS levels from 70 parts per trillion to 4 parts per trillion, the district added a treatment system at Buxton Center Elementary in 2024 and drilled two new wells, one at the middle school and one at the high school. Dawn said about $649,000 of the grant has been spent so far; remaining grant funds will be used to connect the new wells to the buildings.
Dawn recognized Adam Thibodeau for proactive work on the issue and said the district took action early to prevent PFAS exposure in schools.
Ending: Dawn said the district’s actions have kept PFAS‑contaminated water out of students’ drinking supplies and that remaining grant funds will be used to complete well connections this summer.
