Our Projects > Studies and Information About York's Rivers, Maine > Water Supplies & Sewer

Overview

The upper reaches of the York River watershed are unique in that not only York, but surrounding towns, rely on these ponds and reservoirs as public water supplies. As a result, within Southern Maine, this upland area represents a large area of land that needs to be protected from a human point of view, as well as for benefits to wildlife and the river.

As new areas of York are developed, availability of town water and sewer lines limits development. A more detailed analysis of the soils and suitability is provided in the Radcliffe Study (see General Studies, G2).

Gaps

The reservoirs provide high quality water to the local towns, and the York sewer district is in compliance with state and federal regulations. What is unknown is how the use of these ponds for reservoirs might be affecting instream aquatic habitat, including water quantity over summer months. This has not been expressed as a strong local concern, however.

Studies & Information

W1. Watershed Management Plan for York Water District. Parker Forestry Associates. May 1997.

The York Water District has been working for 20 years on land aquisition and watershed management for Chase's Pond. Management plan for the Chase Pond watershed (2694 acres), of which about half is owned by the York Water District. This pond is in the Cape Neddick River watershed. The plan includes:

Potential sources of pollution (including parking lots, abandoned vehicles, houses and farm animals)
Emergency management to protect the public water supply
Woodlot management plan for the water district property
Wildlife habitat enhancement plan

Contact: York Water District, 207-363-2265.

W2. York Water District Report. 1998.

This annual report on water quality includes data on possible contaminants in the York Water Supply. According to the Water District, all of these parameters are very low, well below EPA minimum levels.

The Water District has been in existence since 1896, and has used Chase's Pond as the sole source of water since then. The Water District built a filtration plant in 1990. More information about the plant is available on the District's web page.

Links: York Water District

W3. York Sewer District Overview.

The York Sewer District does not discharge into the York River, but the Sewer District is still relevant to the watershed. As the sewer lines are extended, this influences the pattern of development in the watershed, which impacts habitat, recreational use, and water quality, to name a few.

York's first secondary treatment plant was constructed in 1975, to handle an average daily flow of 1.6 million gallons per day, and a peak flow of 4.5 million gallons per day. The treatment facility was designed to serve York for approximately 20 years: however, due to the increased population growth of the 1980's, flows to the facility had reached design levels by 1990.

In 1990, the York Sewer District, which owns and operates the treatment facility, obtained the services of Wright- Pierce Engineers to design an upgraded facility at the existing site. In 1994, the new facility went on line, providing treatment for an average of 3.0 mgd and a peak flow of 7.5 mgd.

Links: York Sewer District

Contact: York Sewer District 1-207-363-4232 Gregory Hanson, Superintendent.

Continue to Human Use Studies: Flow/Flushing.

Return to the Index.