During the Edgecomb selectboard’s Oct. 3 meeting, Selectman Mike Smith shared a rumor about possible well water contamination on U.S. Route 1. Smith had previously had a  conversation with a property owner about possible saltwater intrusion in a local well. The property owner shared his concern about rock salt possibly seeping into the water from the nearby Maine Department of Transportation maintenance site. State Rep. Holly Stover (D-Boothbay) was invited to the board meeting. She contacted MaineDOT on Oct. 4 to request a conversation between the department and Edgecomb officials.

According to Smith, MaineDOT rock salt  has been stored in a shed for over 10 years, but it was previously stored on the ground. On Oct. 5, Selectman Michael Maxim texted the Boothbay Register. He spoke to Dwight Doherty of the state’s  Ground Water and Hazardous Waste agency. In the text, he reported Doherty acknowledged there is excessive calcium in their well, and it was most likely a by-product of road salt. “You can still drink the water. It’s not a heavy contamination, and won’t challenge any nearby well.” Maxim wrote if an employee prefers not to drink the well water, they are provided with bottled water.