The Boothbay Region Clean Drinking Water Initiative has received $65,000 from Lincoln County ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) payments for two years. Under the grant terms, the initiative is required to provide an annual report. On April 1, commissioners received the second annual report and approved the third and final $65,000 grant payment. 

In 2023, commissioners approved a $195,000 grant to BRCDWI for a three-year period divided into equal payments. In their second annual report, initiative officials thanked commissioners.

"At the outset BRCDWI wishes to express its profound appreciation for awarding the $195,000 grant," wrote Chairman Harold Moorefield. "We are gratified the commissioners found our mission worthy of support. Simply, our mission is to forever safeguard the Boothbay Region public drinking water supply through land conservation, education, stewardship and community collaboration."

The annual report details activities of the past fiscal year. BRCDWI hired a consultant in year two to focus on land conservation within the region's sole water supply: Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake. These services are shared on a 50/50 basis with the local land trust. 

In Fiscal Year 25, BRCDWI spent $32,857 for expenses. "The majoriy of expenses paid the new land conservation specialist ($23,985) and a coordinator ($3,127), according to the report.

Another $3,189 was spent on preparing newsletters for landowners in Adams Pond and Knickerbocker Lake watersheds, supplies, postage and information technology.  The initiative spent $1,428 for public meetings, refreshments, and volunteer expenses. 

At the fiscal year's end, the organization reported a bank account balance of $114,775 including $13,716 in contributions, and $101,059 in grants. 

The initiative listed sponsored 2024 programs. There were 14 events, including a three-session lecture series on water conservation. The series was held in seven venues which included Boothbay Harbor Garden Club, Camp Knickerbocker, Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Railway Village, Bigelow Laboratories, and Boothbay Region YMCA, in conjunction with Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce. 

An article about BRCDWI's work was published in the Boothbay Register along with many press releases about upcoming events. Posters highlighting the drinking water supply were placed throughout the peninsula. A 15-second video explaining the initiative's mission ran prior to Harbor Theater movies. BRCDWI also became a Harbor Theater member. 

A new Adams Pond Water supply road sign was placed on Route 27. Printed materials were presented at public events regarding the initiative's mission which included bookmarks, and "Why Plant Natives" rack cards. A second newsletter for landowners within the watershed followed up on meetings held in 2022. 

BRCDWI is discussing conserving lands in the watershed with three property owners. The project has support from all four major non-profit organizations: BRYMCA, Bigelow Laboratories, CMBG and Boothbay Region Land Trust. Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor and Southport are all BRCDWI members. Knickerbocker Lake Association and Boothbay Region Water District are the remaining members. "Because of this collaboration, BRCDWI is truly a community-wide collaboration," wrote Moorefield.