PERU — Students and staff at Dirigo Elementary School have been drinking bottled water rather than the school’s water since mid-November, when a salty taste was noticed.

Regional School Unit 56 Superintendent Pam Doyen said Tuesday that the water softener is the problem.

Kenny Robbins, the district’s building, grounds and transportation director, told Doyen on Tuesday that Maine Rural Water has been at the school to sample the well and water system and that the problem is scheduled to be repaired this Thursday.

“The well is fine,” Robbins said. “It is just that the water softener has malfunctioned.”

Bottled water is and has been available for students and staff, Doyen said.

“There is no danger to the water,” she added. “We just opted to be proactive with the bottled water.”

mhutchinson@sunmediagroup.net