PRESTON, Conn. -- Hundreds of gallons of oil seeped into a Preston schoolyard over the holiday break. The leak was only discovered after the oil traveled through the septic system and drained into fields behind the school.

Students returned to Preston Veterans Memorial School on Monday to find part of their schoolyard missing.

Truckloads of bottled water were delivered in the morning to the school. A mechanical problem at the school last week in the boiler room triggered an oil leak.

Crews have recovered nearly 600 gallons of oil. Most of it seeped into a drain that leads to the building's septic tank and Leach Fields behind the school.

Superintendent John Welch said the Department of Environmental Protection was working fast to clear the contaminated soil.

Inside, things are running smoothly despite the slight odor outside.

Students will drink bottled water and food will also be cooked with bottled water, school officials said. Students have also had to find a different recess spot and buses will have to pick up and drop off students in front of the school, rather than behind it.