Portland Water District launches spring water main maintenance

The Portland Water District has opened its spring water main maintenance program in Windham and will soon move to other parts of the system.

Maintenance flushing activities generally occur from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

According to a press release issued by the Portland Water District, customers may notice short periods of water discoloration; however, this program is essential to maintain water quality and public health.

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.

Portland Water District General Manager Scott 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.

Should Portland Water District customers experience any change in water quality following 2026 spring maintenance activities or have security concerns regarding Portland Water District employees, please call 207-761-8310. Portland Water District personnel are required to carry photo ID and wear uniforms.

For more specific details about PWD spring water main maintenance activities, including a map showing current and near future flushing activities, please visit https://www.pwd.org/water-main-flushing/ <