No‑drink order at Madonna Middle School after high lead result; district awaiting retest

RSU 40/MSAD 40 facilities staff told the committee that routine water sampling at Madonna Middle School returned an unexpectedly high lead result, prompting a no‑drinking order while the district conducts confirmatory testing.

The staff member said the initial lab result showed an anomalous reading — reported to the committee as 360 parts per million — and that the district immediately ordered bottled water and submitted additional samples to the water‑quality lab. "We were notified by being drinking water that our water quality testing from Madonna Middle School had come back with an incredibly high amount of lead in it, which struck me as very strange because every test we've had since it has been opened, it's been 0," the staff member said.

The district’s water‑quality contractor and staff reviewed the result and told the presenter that the number was likely erroneous; nevertheless the school remains on a no‑drink order until confirmatory tests are complete. Staff said additional samples were drawn and that if the lab posts clear results, the no‑drink restriction could be removed within hours once the required notices are posted. "There is some bureaucracy, but it's very quick," the staff member said.

Committee members asked about timing; staff estimated follow‑up results could be returned in the next business day unless holiday schedules slow lab processing. The committee did not vote on any action; staff said they would update the board and parents as soon as lab results and any required approvals are complete.