News

Testing reveals high levels of lead in Lewiston schools

Testing reveals high levels of lead in Lewiston schools

Photo: clipart.com


LEWISTON, Maine (AP) A first round of testing of water in Lewiston schools yielded high levels of lead in about a third of water sources, leading school officials to restrict some water sources.

Farwell, Montello, Geiger and McMahon elementary schools, as well as Lewiston Regional Technical Center and Longley School were included in the first round of testing, the Sun Journal reported. The rest of Lewiston’s schools will be tested next week.

All Maine schools are required by law to regularly test their water for lead, according to a 2019 bill.

So far, about 30% of the nearly 3,000 water sources tested from Maine schools were too high in lead levels, and that’s similar to schools in other states, said Amy Lachance, director of the Maine Drinking Water Program.

When lead is present in drinking water, it usually is a result of it leaching from pipes and plumbing fixtures, according to the program. Lead exposure can cause brain damage as well as impaired development and learning trouble in children.

Water bottles were available for students and staff in each of the Lewiston schools beginning Tuesday.

Latest Headlines

22 hours ago in Local

Driver cited after rear-ending MTA maintenance vehicle in Cumberland

A maintenance worker with the Maine Turnpike Authority suffered minor injuries when their truck was rear-ended in Cumberland Friday morning.

22 hours ago in Local

Maine medical examiner says Milford toddler died of hypothermia

State officials say a toddler who was found unresponsive in Milford a few days after Christmas died of hypothermia.

24 hours ago in National, Trending

US employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 jobs last month, rebounding from a weak February

American employers added a surprisingly strong 178,000 new jobs last month, rebounding from a dismal February. And the unemployment...

24 hours ago in National, Trending

The Latest: US and Israel are trying to rescue fighter jet crew in Iran, Israeli source says

The U.S. military launched a rescue operation Friday after Iranian state media reported that an American fighter jet went down and at least...

1 day ago in Local

No Injuries in Chaotic Multi-Vehicle Crash, Fire on I-295

Troopers say a vehicle crashed into the center median at about 7 am.