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Feb. 21: The maintenance activities at our Water Treatment Plant have been completed and the fluoridation adjustment in our communities’ drinking water has resumed. More Info

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Author Archives: Matt Zetterman

  1. News

    February 21, 2023

    TEMPORARY FLUORIDATION SUSPENSION – UPDATE 2/21/2023

    The maintenance activities at the Kennebec Water District’s (KWD) Water Treatment Plant have been completed and the fluoridation adjustment in our communities’ drinking water has resumed.  

    For more information on fluoridation of drinking water please visit the Maine DWP – Fluoride & Fluoridation page.

    February 2, 2023

    Extreme cold weather is forecasted in the coming days causing an increased risk of frozen pipes, water meters, and water lines. We encourage everyone to take precautions to reduce this risk such as:

    • Consider running water through faucets to help prevent plumbing on exterior walls from freezing. A minimal amount of water (the size of a #2 pencil or less) is generally sufficient. The added cost to your water bill will be far less than the cost to repair a broken pipe.
    • Check for broken windows or damaged skirting.
    • Caulk around pipes where they enter the house.
    • Seal cracks or holes in windows, walls, or doors near the water meter or pipes.
    • Leave doors on cabinets with plumbing open.
    • Insulate pipes in unheated areas.

    If you experience a water-related emergency, please call (207) 872-2763. However, due to the extreme cold, some emergency responses may be delayed.

    December 19, 2022

    The Kennebec Water District is seeking qualified candidates to fill a Distribution Technician vacancy in our Distribution Department.  This skilled position is responsible for construction, operations, and maintenance on over 170 miles of buried water lines. For more information please visit the job posting here: https://www.kennebecwater.org/about-us/employment-opportunities/distribution-technician-levels-1-2-or-3/.

    December 12, 2022

    PUBLIC NOTIFICATION TEMPORARY FLUORIDATION SUSPENSION – UPDATE

    Due to maintenance activities at the Kennebec Water District’s (KWD) Water Treatment Plant, the fluoridation adjustment in our communities’ drinking water will be temporarily suspended. During this time, the safety of the water will not be impacted and no change in the taste, smell or color will occur. Fluoridation adjustment is scheduled to be restored by 2/28/2023.

    For more information on fluoridation of drinking water please visit the Maine DWP – Fluoride & Fluoridation page.

    October 24, 2022

    Since October 14, 2022, more than a dozen customers have contacted KWD regarding an earthly or musty taste and odor in the drinking water. These contacts have come from customers across KWD’s distribution system. While unpleasant, the source of the taste and odor is harmless and does not pose a health concern.

    Following the increase in customer concerns, KWD’s water quality professionals increased routine monitoring both at the water treatment plant and within the distribution system. Every test result (including bacteria, pH, and chlorine testing) confirms KWD water continues to meets or exceeds the State and federal drinking water standards and the water is safe to drink and use as normal.

    The harmless compounds responsible for this taste and odor come from naturally occurring algae present in China Lake (KWD’s sole source of water supply) throughout the year.  However, due to the conditions of the lake in 2022, as well as normal seasonal changes, these algae are being found in higher concentrations at this time.

    Unfortunately, KWD’s water treatment process does not effectively remove these odor compounds. Currently, KWD is in the process of flushing the distribution system and investigating other solutions to expedite the resolution.

    In the meantime, customers affected by the taste and odor can take measures to reduce or mask the taste and odor including:

    • chilling the water,
    • adding ice cubes,
    • adding a slice of lemon, or
    • adding a few drops of lemon juice.

    We appreciate your patience while we work through this issue.  We are unsure how long this taste and odor will continue but based upon the experience of other water utilities, the duration will likely be a few weeks or less.

    September 20, 2022

    The Kennebec Water District will perform routine maintenance of the water system by opening fire hydrants September 26 through October 21, 2022. This work improves water quality by flushing sediment out of the water lines. Your drinking water may be discolored during this period.  If any discoloration persists more than 24 hours, please call the Kennebec Water District office at 872-2763.

    July 15, 2022

    PUBLIC NOTIFICATION TEMPORARY FLUORIDATION SUSPENSION

    Due to maintenance activities at the Kennebec Water District’s (KWD) Water Treatment Plant, the fluoridation adjustment in our communities’ drinking water will be temporarily suspended. During this time, the safety of the water will not be impacted and no change in the taste, smell or color will occur. Fluoridation adjustment is scheduled to be restored by 12/31/2022.

    For more information on fluoridation of drinking water please visit the Maine DWP – Fluoride & Fluoridation page.

    June 30, 2022

    New rates are in effect as of July 1, 2022. Click here for more information.

  2. News April 26 2022

    April 26, 2022

    Spring Hydrant Flushing

    The Kennebec Water District will perform routine maintenance of the water system by opening fire hydrants May 2 through June 3, 2022. This work improves water quality by flushing sediment out of the water lines. Your drinking water may be discolored during this period.  If any discoloration persists more than 24 hours, please call the Kennebec Water District office at 872-2763.

    Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Changes

    When: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

    Time: 7:00pm

    Where: Fairfield Community Center – 61 Water Street, Fairfield, Maine.

    Remote: The public hearing can also be viewed remotely at:  https://vimeo.com/698996576 and on the local Spectrum cable channel 1301. (Remote attendees will only be able to view the hearing.  No remote participation.)

    Attention Customers:

    You are invited to attend a May 18, 2022, public hearing to learn more about our proposed water rate changes, which will be effective July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. KWD strives to maintain reasonable rates while maintaining a focus on high water quality.  Rising operating costs and needed critical infrastructure investments have made these proposed rate increases essential to continue reliably supplying safe drinking water.

    The proposed rate changes will increase water rates as follows:

    Effective DateMinimum Charge Increase Quarterly*Minimum Charge Increase MonthlyIncrease in Water Usage Rate (per 100 cubic feet – 748 gallons)Percent Increase
    July 1, 2022$5.41$1.80$0.148
    July 1, 2023$5.85$1.95$0.158

    *Most customers are billed quarterly.

    The rate change will be the same for all customer classes including public and private fire protection.

    The current rates have been in effect since April 1, 2018. The proposed rates provide an increased annual revenue of approximately $438,074 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2022) and $473,121 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2023) to fund the following important needs:

    • Replacing aging infrastructure   
    • Increasing operations and maintenance costs
    • Construction of new administration and operations facilities

    If you have any questions or want more information, you may contact Roger Crouse, KWD General Manager, by phone at (207) 872-2763 or by e-mail at rcrouse@kennebecwater.org.  You may also contact the Public Utilities Commission by phone at (207) 287-3831 or the Office of the Public Advocate by phone at (207) 624-3687 to ask about water rates.

    Finally, we appreciate you, our valued customer, for your continued confidence in our ability to deliver high quality water around the clock, and our dedicated team of professionals for their hard work operating and maintaining our complex water treatment and distribution systems to make it happen.

    Yours for safe drinking water,

    KWD Board of Trustees

    Customer Rights

    Pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 6104, a customer has the right to request additional information relating to the present and proposed rates from KWD, the right to an open and fair hearing, and the right to assistance from the Public Advocate. 

    Customers also have the right to petition the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to suspend and investigate KWD’s rates pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 310, if, on or before thirty (30) days following the public hearing, 15% of the District’s customers (or 1,000 customers, whichever is less), file with KWD’s General Manager and with the PUC, c/o Administrative Director, 18 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0018, a petition or petitions demanding review by the PUC of the proposed rate changes.  Signatures on the petitions filed pursuant to Section 7 are invalid unless accompanied by the printed names and addresses of the signers.  Upon request KWD will provide customers with petition forms that include space for the signatures, printed names and addresses of the signers. 

    Material supporting the proposed rate increase is available for inspection on this page or at KWD’s office at 6 Cool Street in Waterville, Maine.  If you have any questions or desire additional information, you may call Roger Crouse, General Manager, at (207) 872-2763, or the Administrative Director of the PUC at (207) 287-3831. 

    For additional information or other assistance, contact the Office of The Public Advocate, 112 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0112, (207) 624-3687. KWD’s initial rate filing with the PUC can be found here.

  3. Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Changes

    Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Changes

    When: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

    Time: 7:00pm

    Where: Fairfield Community Center – 61 Water Street, Fairfield, Maine.

    Remote: The public hearing can also be viewed remotely at:  https://vimeo.com/698996576 and on the local Spectrum cable channel 1301. (Remote attendees will only be able to view the hearing.  No remote participation.)

    Attention Customers:

    You are invited to attend a May 18, 2022, public hearing to learn more about our proposed water rate changes, which will be effective July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. KWD strives to maintain reasonable rates while maintaining a focus on high water quality.  Rising operating costs and needed critical infrastructure investments have made these proposed rate increases essential to continue reliably supplying safe drinking water.

    The proposed rate changes will increase water rates as follows:

    Effective DateMinimum Charge Increase Quarterly*Minimum Charge Increase MonthlyIncrease in Water Usage Rate (per 100 cubic feet – 748 gallons)Percent Increase
    July 1, 2022$5.41$1.80$0.148
    July 1, 2023$5.85$1.95$0.158

    *Most customers are billed quarterly.

    The rate change will be the same for all customer classes including public and private fire protection.

    The current rates have been in effect since April 1, 2018. The proposed rates provide an increased annual revenue of approximately $438,074 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2022) and $473,121 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2023) to fund the following important needs:

    • Replacing aging infrastructure   
    • Increasing operations and maintenance costs
    • Construction of new administration and operations facilities

    If you have any questions or want more information, you may contact Roger Crouse, KWD General Manager, by phone at (207) 872-2763 or by e-mail at rcrouse@kennebecwater.org.  You may also contact the Public Utilities Commission by phone at (207) 287-3831 or the Office of the Public Advocate by phone at (207) 624-3687 to ask about water rates.

    Finally, we appreciate you, our valued customer, for your continued confidence in our ability to deliver high quality water around the clock, and our dedicated team of professionals for their hard work operating and maintaining our complex water treatment and distribution systems to make it happen.

    Yours for safe drinking water,

    KWD Board of Trustees

    Customer Rights

    Pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 6104, a customer has the right to request additional information relating to the present and proposed rates from KWD, the right to an open and fair hearing, and the right to assistance from the Public Advocate. 

    Customers also have the right to petition the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to suspend and investigate KWD’s rates pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 310, if, on or before thirty (30) days following the public hearing, 15% of the District’s customers (or 1,000 customers, whichever is less), file with KWD’s General Manager and with the PUC, c/o Administrative Director, 18 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0018, a petition or petitions demanding review by the PUC of the proposed rate changes.  Signatures on the petitions filed pursuant to Section 7 are invalid unless accompanied by the printed names and addresses of the signers.  Upon request KWD will provide customers with petition forms that include space for the signatures, printed names and addresses of the signers. 

    Material supporting the proposed rate increase is available for inspection on this page or at KWD’s office at 6 Cool Street in Waterville, Maine.  If you have any questions or desire additional information, you may call Roger Crouse, General Manager, at (207) 872-2763, or the Administrative Director of the PUC at (207) 287-3831. 

    For additional information or other assistance, contact the Office of The Public Advocate, 112 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0112, (207) 624-3687. KWD’s initial rate filing with the PUC can be found here.

  4. Spring Hydrant Flushing

    April 26, 2022

    Spring Hydrant Flushing

    The Kennebec Water District will perform routine maintenance of the water system by opening fire hydrants May 2 through June 3, 2022. This work improves water quality by flushing sediment out of the water lines. Your drinking water may be discolored during this period.  If any discoloration persists more than 24 hours, please call the Kennebec Water District office at 872-2763.

    Public Hearing on Proposed Water Rate Changes

    When: Wednesday, May 18, 2022

    Time: 7:00pm

    Where: Fairfield Community Center – 61 Water Street, Fairfield, Maine.

    Remote: The public hearing can also be viewed remotely at:  https://vimeo.com/698996576 and on the local Spectrum cable channel 1301. (Remote attendees will only be able to view the hearing.  No remote participation.)

    Attention Customers:

    You are invited to attend a May 18, 2022, public hearing to learn more about our proposed water rate changes, which will be effective July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023. KWD strives to maintain reasonable rates while maintaining a focus on high water quality.  Rising operating costs and needed critical infrastructure investments have made these proposed rate increases essential to continue reliably supplying safe drinking water.

    The proposed rate changes will increase water rates as follows:

    Effective DateMinimum Charge Increase Quarterly*Minimum Charge Increase MonthlyIncrease in Water Usage Rate (per 100 cubic feet – 748 gallons)Percent Increase
    July 1, 2022$5.41$1.80$0.148
    July 1, 2023$5.85$1.95$0.158

    *Most customers are billed quarterly.

    The rate change will be the same for all customer classes including public and private fire protection.

    The current rates have been in effect since April 1, 2018. The proposed rates provide an increased annual revenue of approximately $438,074 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2022) and $473,121 (8.0 percent – starting July 1, 2023) to fund the following important needs:

    • Replacing aging infrastructure   
    • Increasing operations and maintenance costs
    • Construction of new administration and operations facilities

    If you have any questions or want more information, you may contact Roger Crouse, KWD General Manager, by phone at (207) 872-2763 or by e-mail at rcrouse@kennebecwater.org.  You may also contact the Public Utilities Commission by phone at (207) 287-3831 or the Office of the Public Advocate by phone at (207) 624-3687 to ask about water rates.

    Finally, we appreciate you, our valued customer, for your continued confidence in our ability to deliver high quality water around the clock, and our dedicated team of professionals for their hard work operating and maintaining our complex water treatment and distribution systems to make it happen.

    Yours for safe drinking water,

    KWD Board of Trustees

    Customer Rights

    Pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 6104, a customer has the right to request additional information relating to the present and proposed rates from KWD, the right to an open and fair hearing, and the right to assistance from the Public Advocate. 

    Customers also have the right to petition the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to suspend and investigate KWD’s rates pursuant to 35-A MRS Section 310, if, on or before thirty (30) days following the public hearing, 15% of the District’s customers (or 1,000 customers, whichever is less), file with KWD’s General Manager and with the PUC, c/o Administrative Director, 18 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0018, a petition or petitions demanding review by the PUC of the proposed rate changes.  Signatures on the petitions filed pursuant to Section 7 are invalid unless accompanied by the printed names and addresses of the signers.  Upon request KWD will provide customers with petition forms that include space for the signatures, printed names and addresses of the signers. 

    Material supporting the proposed rate increase is available for inspection on this page or at KWD’s office at 6 Cool Street in Waterville, Maine.  If you have any questions or desire additional information, you may call Roger Crouse, General Manager, at (207) 872-2763, or the Administrative Director of the PUC at (207) 287-3831. 

    For additional information or other assistance, contact the Office of The Public Advocate, 112 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333-0112, (207) 624-3687. KWD’s initial rate filing with the PUC can be found here.

  5. Water Service Temporary Shutdown Notice: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm

    On Wednesday June 17, 2020, the water service on portions of College Avenue, Elm Street, and the connected streets will be temporarily shut off starting at approximately 7:00 pm as part of the water main replacement project on Main Street.  Water service will be restored as quickly as possible, with the goal of having service restored by 5:00 am on Thursday, June 18th.

    A map of the properties anticipated to be affected by the shutdown is attached.

    When water service is restored, you may experience air in your water lines and/or discolored (rusty) water. These are normal occurrences during a water shut off and usually only last for a matter of minutes. The water quality should return to normal by allowing your cold-water (preferably using an outside hose connection or your bathtub faucet) to run for a short while.

    During water outages there is a potential for electric hot water heaters to drain. Therefore, the Kennebec Water District recommends that the electric power to electric hot water heaters be turned off.

    Prior to the water shut off, the Kennebec Water District recommends you store some water for drinking and cooking purposes in clean storage containers. Water for other purposes, such as washing or bathing, may be temporarily stored in a bathtub.

    We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this shutdown.  Thank you for your patience as we perform this necessary work maintain to upgrade our water distribution network. If you have any questions, please contact Kennebec Water District’s business office at 872-2763 from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm on Mondays through Fridays.

  6. 3/19/20 Trustee Meeting

    The regular meeting of the KWD Board of Trustees will be held tomorrow at 7:30 am. The meeting will be held remotely. There will be no in-person attendance permitted. If you would like to participate in this meeting, call the KWD Business Office at 872-2763 for access information.

  7. 2020 Main Replacement Package: North Street, Middle Street, and China Road

    2020 Main Replacement Package: North Street, Middle Street, and China Road

    The Kennebec Water District is requesting sealed proposals for furnishing and installing one thousand and seven hundred feet (1700) feet of 12 inch cement lined ductile iron water main, and associated services and hydrants be installed within North and Middle Streets in Waterville and three thousand (3000) feet of 8 inch cement lined ductile iron water main and associated services and hydrants be installed with China Road in Winslow. Complete bids shall be received by the Kennebec Water District at the office of the General Manager, 6 Cool Street in Waterville, until 2:00 p.m., on March 17, 2020 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud.

    Plans and specifications are available in digital format at no cost by contacting info@kennebecwater.org with the firm name and contact information.

  8. Water Main Break – February 18, 2020

    We have a broken water main on Kennedy Memorial Drive (KMD) in Waterville near the entrance to the Shaws Plaza. Currently, the entrance lanes into the plaza are blocked.

    Incoming traffic is being diverted into one of the outgoing traffic lanes.

    Due to the nature of the main break, we anticipate having to shut down water service along KMD from Shaws Plaza west towards Oakland to the car wash/J&S Express Lube at the top of the hill.

    Currently, the shut down is scheduled for 4 pm today.

    Businesses on both sides of KMD will be impacted. District employees are going door to door alerting impacted businesses.

    Neighboring areas may experience lower pressure during this event.

    The shut down may last six or more hours. Our apologies for the inconvenience.

  9. Special Trustee Meeting January 30th

    Special Trustee Meeting January 30th

    A special meeting of a subgroup of the KWD Trustees will be held on January 30, 2020, at 1 pm at 6 Cool Street to discuss options for a new operations center.

  10. Special Trustee Meeting

    Special Trustee Meeting

    There will be a special meeting on the Kennebec Water District Trustees on Thursday, January 23, 2020 5:30 pm to receive trustee training from the Rural Community Assistance Partnership.