A long awaited water project is about to become a reality later this fall in Southport. By November, town officials hope the Joppa Road water project will be underway which will provide year-round water to the town hall and possibly to other properties.

Southport began planning for the project over a decade ago by socking away funding each year at the annual town meeting. Southport officials will pay about $300,000 to run a water line 1,500 feet down Joppa Road.

July 23, selectmen held a public hearing to provide residents more information. About a dozen attended the 30-minute hearing. Selectmen told residents how they could hook up to the water line. "Now is the time to let us know if you want to hook up," Selectman Gerry Gamage said. "You can do it in the future, but it would be a whole lot more expensive."

For residents living beyond the 1,500-foot pipe, selectmen told them they have an option to connect to the line. Gamage reported there would be an additional cost not paid by municipal funds. "It's a timely process. So if you are interested, now is the time to work with other like-minded neighbors and let the water district know you're interested," he said. 

The project includes blasting along Joppa Road to remove granite. One resident was concerned about blasting contaminating their well water. Gamage reported Boothbay Region Water District would take responsibility for blasting damage. "The bottom line is if we destroy your well then you will get public water," he said. 

The project is expected to begin by November and be finished in April, according to Gamage.