Steep Falls Standish Public Well System – Do Not Drink Order

The Portland Water District has issued a Do Not Drink Water Advisory for customers of the Steep Falls well system.  Consumers are directed not to drink the water; this includes making ice cubes, food preparation, brushing their teeth, or any other activity involving the consumption of water. This order shall remain in effect until further notice.

IMPORTANT UPDATE

FREE BOTTLED WATER AVAILABLE

Customers affected by the Do Not Drink Order are invited to pick up bottled water at the Steep Falls Fire Station on Boundary Road. The Portland Water District is providing this water until safe drinking water is restored. We kindly ask that you take only what you need to help ensure availability for everyone. For more information and status updates, please visit the Portland Water District’s website at www.pwd.org or call 207.761.8310. Thank you for your cooperation.

What Happened:
The radon aeration system at the Steep Falls Standish well system has failed. This system supplies water to approximately 150 customers in the Steep Falls area. As a precautionary measure, the Maine Drinking Water Program issued a Do Not Drink order on April 1 at 3:00 p.m.

Important Information:
Radon Presence: Radon is naturally occurring in groundwater, as it is in many parts of Maine.

Repairs and Testing:
– The equipment is being repaired.
– After repairs, the water will be sampled and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
-Test results will be available within 24 hours of the sample reaching the laboratory.

Notification of Order Lift:
– Once repairs are complete and the water is confirmed safe to drink, the Do Not Drink order will be lifted.
– All Steep Falls customers will be notified when this occurs, and it will be posted on the website.

Usage Guidelines:
Non-Consumptive Uses:
– The water is still safe for bathing and other non-consumptive purposes.
Do Not Drink:
– Please refrain from drinking the water until you receive an official notification that the order has been lifted.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to restore safe drinking water to our community. If you have any questions or need further information, please contact our office.