Our next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, at 6PM and will include a public hearing regarding our charter question on the November ballot.
Yarmouth Water District Charter Update – What’s on the Ballot This November
This November, voters in Yarmouth and North Yarmouth will be asked whether to repeal and replace the Yarmouth Water District Charter, which was first written back in 1923.
Over the past century, the charter has been amended six times, meaning anyone trying to understand it today must look through seven separate documents. The Maine Legislature and Governor have already approved an updated version that combines everything into one clear and modern charter. Now, it’s up to local voters to decide whether to adopt it.
See our new and old charter HERE
Why the update makes sense:
- Much of the current charter dates back nearly a century, with language from the 1920s, ’40s, and ’50s.
- It doesn’t reflect current laws such as the Freedom of Access Act or today’s technology for water treatment and operations.
- It references an old “district meeting” election process that hasn’t been used in decades. Trustees are already elected by secret ballot during town elections, and the new charter simply reflects that reality.
- It brings together all previous amendments into a single, easy-to-read document.
- It aligns the District’s operations with the same laws that guide other water districts across Maine.
What’s not changing:
- Water rates, ownership, and how the District operates day-to-day remain the same.
- The Yarmouth Water District will continue to be a public, non-profit utility focused on providing safe, reliable water service to our communities.
Ballot question:
“Do you favor repealing and replacing the Charter of the Yarmouth Water District?”
A “Yes” vote approves the new, updated charter.
A “No” vote keeps the existing 1923 charter in place.
2024 Water Quality Report is Here
We recently completed our annual Consumer Confidence Report which includes water quality information. It always can be found under “About” and then “Water Quality” along with previous reports. Click here for our 2024 Consumer Confidence Report
We Now Accept Credit/Debit Card Payments
We are working with InforME, a third-party partner with Maine.Gov, to accept card payments to your account. There is a minimum fee of $1.00 or 2.5% of your payment whichever is greater. The fee is not collected by the Yarmouth Water District, it funds operations of the online service through Maine.gov and other Maine.gov online services. We still accept cash and check by mail and at our office.
You will need to have your account number, service address, email address (for payment verification), and the amount due to make proper payment. We can also take card payments over the phone if that is easier. To make a payment at the Maine.Gov / InforME website CLICK HERE. This link will open a new window to the payment website. Do not hesitate to give our office a call at 846-5821 with any questions.
Office Hours Change
Starting on July 1, 2022, we will be changing our hours of operation to Monday through Thursday from 7 am to 5 pm. We still have an operator on call 24/7 for emergencies.
Private Water Testing Postcard
The Yarmouth Water District has received numerous calls regarding a postcard that is being circulated in the area that is offering free water testing. The card suggests that seasonal changes in the water table can impact the quality of your drinking water. This postcard is not from the District and our source of supply does not experience water quality fluctuations due to the change in seasons. We can assure you that we meet or exceed all state and federal drinking water standards. If you have any concerns regarding your drinking water do not hesitate to call us at 846-5821.
Imagine a Day Without Water
Utilities throughout the state are facing a lot of the same challenges to keep providing high-quality drinking water to our customers. It starts with protecting the source that may inhibit thousands of acres depending on the zone of contribution of the source, and then pumping and treating (if necessary) the water through the distribution system piping, to the storage tanks, to hydrants for fighting fires, and to your tap The Executive Director of the MWUA wrote an article in the Portland Press that touches on some of these challenges, take a look! Have a good day everyone.
Click here to read the article!
Board of Trustees Meeting
The Board of Trustees meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:00 PM. All meetings are open to the public and the public is encouraged to attend. If you need more information regarding the monthly meetings, please contact Eric Gagnon, Superintendent, at 207-846-5821.
Click here to find meeting agendas and minutes.
New Educational Item
We just added an item to the News & Notes and Education section to help answer some common questions in regards to water pressure. Click HERE to go directly to the page.