HARRISON — For the first time this school year, students at the Harrison Elementary School will be drinking from the water fountains starting Tuesday.

Students have been drinking bottled water as a precautionary measure after coliform bacteria was found in four of five water samples tested from the school's 400-foot-deep well on Aug. 24.

The state required five clean tests to consider water clear of contamination.

Last week Oxford Hills School District Facilities Manager Dave Marshall reported that all five water sample tests came back showing no evidence of coliform bacteria after the well was chlorinated. Students were still required to drink bottled water as a precautionary measure until the Maine Drinking Water Program officials reviewed the results and came back with its recommendation.

State officials informed the school district this week that they are now required to retest the water quarterly, but officials have decided to take extra precautions and sample the water next month in addition to the required quarterly testing. The well will also be scoped to ensure that there has been no cracks in the lining, Assistant Superintendent Rick Colpitts said.

School officials have been working with the Maine Drinking Water Program and the Maine Rural Water Association to address coliform bacteria issues at the school's well.

The state never required a "boil water" or "do not drink" order, but school officials decided to bring in bottled water, donated by Poland Spring Water Co. as a precautionary measure. About 72 cases were donated over the last two months.

Results from the well water tests have been positive and negative for coliform bacteria.

"It's been a struggle," Colpitts said.

Harrison is one of four schools in the Oxford Hills School District that is on well water. The others are Otisfield, Waterford and Hebron elementary schools, Marshall said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com