Paul Hunt, environmental director of the Portland Water District, was the featured speaker at the Knickerbocker Lake Association’s annual meeting on Aug. 14. He gave an overview of the Sebago Lake watershed that supplies Portland and surrounding towns. 

Hunt spoke about eight principles they use to protect this major water supply.

• The water is sampled regularly
• Samples are analyzed in their lab
• Town planning boards regularly submit development plans
• The district inspects those sites, offering advice and services. As the town and state have legal authority, the water district works to offer expertise
• The district builds relationships with property owners
• Collaboration is the key to reaching decisions on protection and finding common ground’
• Resources from experts and the state are provided
• Ongoing educational programs for property owners and children complete the list

Sue Mello, a spokesperson for our local water district, noted that the program described by Hunt is a model for our own Boothbay Region Water District.

The Sebago Lake watershed is 91 percent privately owned, 81 percent forested and 93 percent not paved. These last facts elicited the most comments from the group. The Portland Water District has developed a policy to conserve forest, that includes scoring a project and offering property owners grants to effect changes that will ensure forest protection, as this ensures high water quality. Our regional water board has done this, also.

Hunt’s comments on building relations with property owners led to comments and questions about the expansion and clear cut at the Botanical Gardens. Representatives of the water district and Gardens attempted to answer questions concerning mil foil, phosphorus levels, point source contamination and water levels. Others stress the need for people to come to the Boothbay Appeals Board meeting Aug. 31 and the possibility of more collaborative meetings with all parties to protect our water supply.