Update 8: DEP staff conduct door-to-door effort to sample wells in neighborhood near AFFF spill site
AUGUSTA, MAINE, September 12, 2024 — Department staff continued sampling at seven surface water locations along the drainage system and in Harpswell Cove. Staff also spent multiple days this week initiating private water supply sampling along Coombs Road from the southern intersection with Gurnet Road up to roughly a quarter mile past the intersection with Hawkins Lane, including properties on Hawkins Lane and Purinton Road. Staff were able to collect samples from 33 water supplies for PFAS testing. Contact and sampling information was left for property owners that Department staff were not able to contact so that follow-up sampling can take place. During this effort, staff learned that seven homes in this targeted area are serviced by public water and do not require PFAS sampling, additionally, one property owner with a private water supply did not want to be sampled.
Additional surface water sampling results have been received by the Department documenting conditions up to ten days following the release. These results show that PFAS concentrations are decreasing in the upper portions of the surface water drainage, closest to the release location, and at the confluence of Mare Brook and Merriconeag Stream. Moving through the drainage system, PFAS concentrations have increased at the outlet of Picnic Pond, most likely due to the pond acting as an impoundment with a slower rate of flushing. PFAS concentrations in the salt marsh above Harpswell Cove appear to have increased since initial sampling. This is likely to represent residual contamination that migrated to this area which is moving slowly through the system due to tidal cycling and natural flow. One set of sample results contain samples from Harpswell Cove (SW-67 and 68). Low levels of PFAS were detected in these samples indicating that residual contamination has reached the cove. Test results are posted on DEP's website at: https://www.maine.gov/dep/projects/bnas/index.html.
  Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority (MRRA) and their contractor, Clean Harbors, continue to check for foam along the storm water drainage ponds. No foam has been observed or collected at any of the preestablished points since last Friday September 6th.
The public drinking water supply to Brunswick Landing comes from the Brunswick- Topsham Water District (BTWD) and has been confirmed safe to drink. The public water supply has not been impacted by this incident. Homes and businesses served by the BTWD can safely use the water.
The Maine CDC advises the public to avoid contact with foam, and to exercise caution and abstain from any recreational activities (such as swimming, boating, and wading) that may come into contact with the foam or waters until the possible effects of the AFFF release on waterbodies in the vicinity have been thoroughly evaluated.
The next update will be issued as soon as additional test results become available.
For additional information, contact:
David R. Madore, Deputy Commissioner
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