HARRISON – Water continues to be shipped to the Harrison Elementary School this week as SAD 17 officials await the results of testing for uranium, a radioactive element found in drilled wells in Maine, an employee said.

The quarterly testing of the school’s water supply last month showed a presence of coliform, and the state recommended the water system be shocked with chlorine or bleach. A retest was done, and the results came back negative, said Dave Marshall, SAD 17 buildings and grounds director.

Further testing indicated a higher than acceptable level of uranium, but he advised there is no danger to people consuming the water.

“This is not a do-not-drink or boil order,” he said after posting a notice that the chemicals were present in the water supply.

Marshall said the posting is required by state law but it raised concern among parents and others. To lesson the concerns, school officials decided to bring in water from the Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in Paris, which is on a public well supply. About 10 gallons a day are shipped to the Harrison school and placed next to where children usually get drinking water.

Marshall, who is licensed to test water, said the school’s water system is tested quarterly by head custodian Bob Saunders, who is also licensed. The most recent test was conducted by Maine Rural Water, an independent testing agency.

Because the presence of coliform sometimes indicates the presence of e. coli, tests were done to assure there was no e. coli in the system. The water system is also tested for chemicals such as lead and copper on a quarterly basis.

Harrison is one of four SAD 17 schools, along with Otisfield, Hebron and Waterford, that have drilled wells. The remaining schools in the district are on public water supplies.

Until the latest test results for uranium are received, the students will still have bottled water available for drinking.