When President Reagan signed the 1986 Amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act, ripples formed in ponds all over Maine. Many public water systems used lakes and ponds as their water source, and served the water to their customers after disinfecting with chlorine. The new law required that they install filtration unless they could prove that the water quality in their lake and their watershed protection provided strong enough public health protection.

Over the next several years, water systems in Maine conducted studies and made plans in order to avoid spending the tens of millions of dollars it would cost to put in filtration plants. Some systems abandoned their surface sources and drilled wells. Many ended up installing filtration plants, and about a dozen were able to show that they didn’t need filtration.

Lewiston and Auburn have shared Lake Auburn as their drinking water source since 1873. In 1993, in response to the new federal requirements for watershed protection, they formed the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission. The Lake Auburn watershed includes land in Auburn, Turner, Hebron, Minot and Buckfield, and membership on the commission reflects this diversity. The commission and the water systems faced a significant challenge in that the Lake Auburn Watershed, particularly near the lake, has significant existing development and includes Route 4, a major transportation corridor.

In order to maintain water quality in the lake, the commission worked with landowners to acquire shoreline and other key watershed properties, and to purchase easements and develop management plans for remaining properties. The commission currently manages land use on 20 percent of the watershed, including 80 percent of the shoreline. It has also adopted a set of land use and development standards based on good science to keep drinking water safe during and after development.

When the federal EPA assessed drinking water supplies in Maine, the hard work and diligence of the water systems and the commission proved impressive. To maintain water quality and continue to serve their customers water without filtration, Lewiston and Auburn must continue to be vigilant about watershed protection, saving customers a lot of money and keeping the lake clean and safe.

Without continuing management by the commission, the lake’s water quality probably would have suffered, and algae and aquatic plant growth would have increased. Both the fishery and aesthetic quality of the lake would have been a continuing problem. The Maine Drinking Water Program is proud to be a partner with our water systems, and particularly proud of the work that Lewiston and Auburn and the other commission members do to keep Lake Auburn safe and secure.

Bio of author

Andrews L. Tolman, C.G., Assistant Director, Maine Drinking Water Program, has been practicing hydrogeology since 1975. His work has included a variety of public and private sector assignments involving ground water resource assessment, development, and management. Most of his current time and energy are going towards developing implementation strategies for long term protection and sustainability of public water systems, and working with PWS’s who want to improve their preparedness. Andy has a BS from Bates College and two MS’s from the University of Wisconsin in Geology and Water Resources Management. He is a Maine Licensed Class IV Water Treatment and Distribution System Operator. Email: Andrews.L.Tolman@maine.gov

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