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D. Lobkowicz | Lincoln County News

The above-ground septic system access pipe (left) and below-ground oil fill pipe located behind Medomak Middle School in Waldoboro. Rockland-based Maritime Energy delivered 2,087 gallons of heating oil to the school Feb. 4 and inadvertently pumped it into the septic system, according to Principal Katherine Race.

Posted Feb. 17, 2015, at 12:15 p.m.

Last modified Feb. 17, 2015, at 4:37 p.m.

WALDOBORO, Maine -- The septic system leach field for the Medomak school campus will be replaced over the next five to six weeks after an incident two weeks ago in which heating oil was mistakenly pumped into it.

The work was expected to begin early this week, according to School Administrative District 40 Facilities and Transportation Director George Bridges.

The removal of the leach field that serve Medomak Valley Middle School will not interfere with the operations of the school, he said.

Bridges also said that a test of the school campus' water found no contamination. The well is located 120 yards away and is uphill from the leach field.

About 2,000 gallons of heating oil was pumped into the septic system on Feb. 4, when a Maritime Energy delivery worker pumped the fuel into the wrong pipe. The fuel pipe and the sewer pipe were both 4-inch camlock pipes and looked the same.

Since the mishap, the pipes have been marked.

To remove and replace the leach field will cost an estimated $300,000, Maritime Energy Vice President Susan Ware Page said Tuesday. Maritime has contracted with George Hall & Sons of Rockland to do the work. George Hall installed the original one back in 2007, so the company is very familiar with the site, Page said.

Maritime Energy expects full insurance coverage of the costs, Page said.

The project is progressing well and is on schedule, she added.

The pump station and the two septic holding tanks do not need to be replaced.





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