Portland Water District’s Board of Trustees have approved a $69.4 million operating budget for 2026, representing a 6.5 percent increase over the prior year.
 |
| Part of Portland Water District's 2026 capital plan and investments include $15 million for the new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility under construction on the grounds of Manchester School in Windham. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
According to Scott Firmin, Portland Water District General Manager, the approved 2026 budget supports the district’s critical investments in water main replacement, treatment facility upgrades, meter replacement, and system resiliency, while also addressing rising operational costs such as electricity, insurance, and supplies.
Firmin said that the 2026 capital plan includes significant investments in wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, including $15 million toward the new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Facility scheduled to start up in 2026 along with $16 million for the Westbrook Conduit Stormwater Tank, required under PWD’s Combined Sewer Overflow Long Term Control Plan and a permit from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.
Water rates for the Portland Water District will increase by an average of 7.4 percent, resulting in an increase of approximately $1.92 per month for the typical residential customer.
The water district manages more than 430,000 assets that support the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water and effective treatment and collection of wastewater across the region. Many of these assets are reaching an age where proactive reinvestment is essential to maintain service quality, protect public health, and safeguard the environment. Sustained investment allows PWD to renew infrastructure strategically and strengthen system performance and reliability.
“This budget reflects our responsibility to plan ahead and invest wisely in the systems that deliver clean water and protect our waterways,” said Scott Firmin, Portland Water District General Manager. “By making these investments today, the board is helping ensure reliable service, environmental protection, and long-term affordability while avoiding greater costs and disruptions in the future.”
Some of the operating increases can be attributed to higher biosolids disposal costs, related to new requirements from the state of Maine for PFAS management. Rising labor and chemical costs, and debt service are also significant factors.
The Portland Water District maintains a 1,000-mile network of water mains ranging from 60 inches to 2 inches, pump stations, and reservoirs that bring water from Sebago Lake to homes and businesses in Maine. Large mains for transmission extend from PWD’s treatment facility near Standish to Westbrook and Portland.
The district also operates four wastewater treatment plants, providing treatment and collection services to customers in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland, Westbrook, and Windham.
The water district keeps about 25 million gallons of water in storage to help maintain proper pressure and allow for a water reserve in case of an emergency, like a fire or a flood. It serves about 200,000 people across 11 communities and because of that, PWD must ensure that Sebago Lake water quality is of utmost importance.
Sebago Lake itself is more than 300 feet in depth and contains nearly 1 trillion gallons of water which is considered of excellent quality. The source of water in Sebago Lake originates in the Sebago Lake Watershed, which is more than 50 miles long, stretching from Bethel to Standish and includes parts of 24 towns including the towns of Windham and Raymond.
Firmin says that the excellent water quality of the Sebago Lake Watershed is attributed to surrounding forested lands that act as a natural filter for the watershed.
He said that the water district remains committed to balancing necessary infrastructure investments with affordability. The 2026 budget further strengthens support for customers enrolled in the Lifeline Water Rate program, increasing subsidies to help qualifying households manage water costs. Eligible customers may apply through the Opportunity Alliance.
The 2026 Comprehensive Budget Report is available at https://www.pwd.org/ <
Water rates for the Portland Water District will increase by an average of 7.4 percent, resulting in an increase of approximately $1.92 per month for the typical residential customer.
The water district manages more than 430,000 assets that support the delivery of safe, reliable drinking water and effective treatment and collection of wastewater across the region. Many of these assets are reaching an age where proactive reinvestment is essential to maintain service quality, protect public health, and safeguard the environment. Sustained investment allows PWD to renew infrastructure strategically and strengthen system performance and reliability.
“This budget reflects our responsibility to plan ahead and invest wisely in the systems that deliver clean water and protect our waterways,” said Scott Firmin, Portland Water District General Manager. “By making these investments today, the board is helping ensure reliable service, environmental protection, and long-term affordability while avoiding greater costs and disruptions in the future.”
Some of the operating increases can be attributed to higher biosolids disposal costs, related to new requirements from the state of Maine for PFAS management. Rising labor and chemical costs, and debt service are also significant factors.
The Portland Water District maintains a 1,000-mile network of water mains ranging from 60 inches to 2 inches, pump stations, and reservoirs that bring water from Sebago Lake to homes and businesses in Maine. Large mains for transmission extend from PWD’s treatment facility near Standish to Westbrook and Portland.
The district also operates four wastewater treatment plants, providing treatment and collection services to customers in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Gorham, Portland, Westbrook, and Windham.
The water district keeps about 25 million gallons of water in storage to help maintain proper pressure and allow for a water reserve in case of an emergency, like a fire or a flood. It serves about 200,000 people across 11 communities and because of that, PWD must ensure that Sebago Lake water quality is of utmost importance.
Sebago Lake itself is more than 300 feet in depth and contains nearly 1 trillion gallons of water which is considered of excellent quality. The source of water in Sebago Lake originates in the Sebago Lake Watershed, which is more than 50 miles long, stretching from Bethel to Standish and includes parts of 24 towns including the towns of Windham and Raymond.
Firmin says that the excellent water quality of the Sebago Lake Watershed is attributed to surrounding forested lands that act as a natural filter for the watershed.
He said that the water district remains committed to balancing necessary infrastructure investments with affordability. The 2026 budget further strengthens support for customers enrolled in the Lifeline Water Rate program, increasing subsidies to help qualifying households manage water costs. Eligible customers may apply through the Opportunity Alliance.
The 2026 Comprehensive Budget Report is available at https://www.pwd.org/ <
No comments:
Post a Comment