HARRISON — Test results indicate that the Harrison Elementary School well continues to show unacceptable levels of total coliform bacteria.

Students have been drinking bottled water since the discovery of coliform bacteria in four of five water samples tested Aug. 24. The results did not require a “do not drink” order but did require public notifications, said Oxford Hills School District Facilities Director Dave Marshall. Bottled water, donated by Poland Springs Water Co., was brought in for students and staff simply as a way to allay any fears.

“It’s not what we had hoped for,” Marshall said of the latest test results.

Goodwin’s Well and Water of Turner is expected to be at the school Tuesday to check the well for any cracks. Marshall said officials need to see if groundwater is tainted and seeping into the 400-foot well.

“A cracked casing is a possibility,” he said of why the water is getting coliform bacteria in it.

Four samples were taken Aug. 11 at the school and all came back negative, Marshall said. The water did not test positive for E. coli, nor did it test positive for uranium, which was discovered in the school’s water last year. A new filtering system was put in place to take care of the uranium problem, he said.

Although it was hoped that the test results on Aug. 24 were simply the result of improper testing, last week’s retests ruled that out.

If the well is found to be in good shape, the water will be shocked with chlorine and tested again on Friday, Marshall said.

Meanwhile, students and staff will continue to have bottled water available to them.

Elementary schools in Hebron, Waterford and Otisfield also have their own wells. Other schools are on town water.

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