Thornton Academy News
Updated water testing results
As you read in our message on Tuesday, the State requires schools to test our water for lead and to report findings to parents, students, and staff. We received a second batch of test results this week.
The vast majority of drinking water sources tested within acceptable limits. However, five exceeded State of Maine guidelines of 4 parts per billion (PPB): one in our Emery Locke Building, one in the girl's locker room, a water fountain on the Eastern Trail, and two sources in an administrative office. All but one (a kitchen faucet in our administrative location) fell within Federal guidelines for safe levels in water (15 parts per billion).
The second report also identified 67 additional non-drinking water sources (faucets in our Science Labs and bathrooms, for example) that exceed Maine's limit.
Steps we are taking
We are conducting additional tests to confirm the initial results and are consulting with water safety experts to determine the best mitigation strategy to address all of the 102 affected water sources. All have been shut off
Solutions include removing those locations no longer in use, as well as replacing fixtures or pipes that may be a source of lead.
The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority, and we expect to have all mitigation work completed by the start of school.
You can view the complete results of our water tests here.
Read our Public Notice Form here
Learn more about lead by reading the Maine CDC Information Sheet or by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
Previous communications: June 21
The State of Maine issued a directive in April that required schools to test all faucets that could be used for drinking or cooking purposes for the presence of lead.
Thornton Academy tested more than 400 water faucets throughout our campus, and all drinking and food preparation sources passed the test and were within safe guidelines.
Thirty faucets in sinks in our Science Labs – many that have not been used for years – showed levels of lead over the desired range. We are disconnecting unused faucets and are determining the best way to address the remaining units. All remediation efforts will be completed by the start of the school year.
View the results from our water testing here.
Learn more about lead by reading the Maine CDC Information Sheet or by visiting the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.
