Heating System Anti-Freeze into Potable Water

Bangor Maine Water Department employees discovered poisonous antifreeze in a homeowner’s heating system and water supply in November, 1981. The incident occurred when they shut off ‘the service line to the home to make repairs. With the flow of water to the house cut off, pressure in the lines in the house dropped and the antifreeze, placed in the heating system to prevent freeze-up of an unused hot water heating system, drained out of the heating system into house water lines, and flowed out to the street. If it had not been noticed, it would have entered the homeowner’s drinking water when the water pressure was restored.