ME district warns residents to not drink water after firefighting foam causes potential PFAS contamination

• Firefighters battled a senior condominium constructing hearth on Might 22, 2023, the place one individual was killed. Whereas combating the hearth, the general public water system was contaminated with firefighting foam.
• Firefighting foam generally accommodates PFAS chemical compounds so the Kennebec Water District issued a do-not-drink order that went into impact on the identical day as the hearth.
• 9,000 Kennebec Water District Prospects from Waterville, Winslow, Benton, Fairfield, and Vassalboro should wait as testing is carried out to resolve whether or not the water is secure to drink.

Firefighting foam utilized in battling a deadly hearth in an condominium constructing entered the general public water system, prompting the water district to order hundreds of residents to not drink the water.

The do-not-drink order went into impact Monday for about 9,000 Kennebec Water District clients in Waterville, Winslow, Benton, Fairfield and Vassalboro. Testing was being carried out Tuesday to find out whether or not the water is secure to drink.

The froth utilized by Waterville firefighters is presumed to include PFAS chemical compounds, a gaggle of compounds which might be widespread, harmful and costly to take away from ingesting water, however the foam is marketed as being freed from fluorine, one other compound generally utilized in firefighting foam, mentioned Hearth Capt. Edward Moult.

ME LAWMAKER PROPOSES BILL THAT REQUIRES STATE TO BUY OUT FARMERS WHOSE LAND WAS CONTAMINATED BY PFAS CHEMICALS

“Whereas the extent of the contamination is unclear, out of an abundance of warning, Kennebec Water District is issuing a system-wide Do Not Drink Order,” the water district introduced Monday.

A Portland firefighters sprays foam on a scrap hearth at Schnitzer Metal in Portland, Maine, on April 14, 2015. Officers of the Kennebec Water District in Maine ordered a do-not-drink order after firefighting foam contaminated the general public water system. The water system was contaminated when firefighters have been combating a senior condominium constructing hearth on Might 22, 2023. (Carl D. Walsh/Portland Portland Press Herald by way of Getty Photos)

MAINE MOM DEMANDS INVESTIGATION AFTER SCHOOL ALLEGEDLY COACHES DAUGHTER ON SECRET GENDER TRANSITION

The froth entered the general public water distribution system as firefighters battled a blaze in an condominium constructing for seniors. One individual was killed and several other others have been injured Monday.

Officers did not say how the froth entered the general public water provide. Newer buildings have a particular valve to stop firefighters’ water or foam from flowing again into the general public water system, Moult mentioned. The standing of such a system on the seven-story condominium constructing, constructed in 1972, was unclear.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE Alokito Mymensingh 24 Alokito Mymensingh 24P 

Water samples that have been taken Tuesday morning have been being delivered to a lab in southern Maine for evaluation. Officers hoped to have the ability to present an replace by day’s finish.