Poland Spring has confirmed it is reducing the amount of water it withdraws from some Maine springs, as many parts of the state endure severe and extreme drought conditions.The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that as of Tuesday, the entire state of Maine is experiencing at least moderate drought. More than 73% of Maine is experiencing severe drought, including 33.6% of the state that is experiencing extreme drought.In a statement sent to Maine’s Total Coverage, Poland Spring said that as of Sept. 1, it has implemented a significant reduction in its water withdrawals from its Clear Spring site in Hollis. Poland Spring said it has also implemented reduction measures at other sites such as Evergreen Spring in Fryeburg and Bradbury Spring in Kingfield. While Poland Spring did not provide specific figures to Maine’s Total Coverage on its water withdrawal changes, the company said when conditions become dry, it adjusts and balances its water collection from its network of geographically diverse spring water sources across Maine.”We know drought conditions are a shared challenge for residents and businesses in our communities. During these times, we monitor short-term forecasts daily, using the National Weather Service and drought forecast tools, and increase monitoring of water levels at our springs,” Poland Spring said in its statement.Hollis Town Manager Richard Morin said he has received calls from residents who expressed concern that Poland Spring’s activities might be drying up their wells. He then invited Poland Spring representatives to a Hollis Select Board meeting.”Within days, they were here and they brought material. They brought a presentation,” Morin said. “That promptness and transparency, to me, speaks highly.”They have indicated they’re doing everything in their power not to , but if you look at the whole state, I think you’ll find that we’re all under a little bit of pressure here,” Morin added.The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines how much water can be taken from springs by using groundwater data, and regulates water withdrawals through permits.At Clear Spring in Hollis, more than 200 million gallons of water can be withdrawn each year. Poland Spring has reported the Hollis watershed receives about 9.8 billion gallons of water every year, which means the withdrawal limit is about 2.5% of the annual replenishment amount.State Geologist Ryan Gordon with the Maine Geological Survey said for the most part, groundwater usage primarily affects the water table in the immediate area. The Maine DEP said if water levels were to get to a critically low point, it could instruct companies to start reducing their water usage — but it has not gotten to that point yet.Poland Spring said it will continue to monitor the aquifers it uses in Maine and report its data publicly to the DEP.”Responsible management of our spring water sources is central to the long-term sustainability of our springs and our operations in the communities we serve,” the company said in its statement.Poland Spring also said it continues to supply bottled water to areas with dry well issues, and will continue to work closely with local leaders and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Poland Spring has confirmed it is reducing the amount of water it withdraws from some Maine springs, as many parts of the state endure severe and extreme drought conditions.
The latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that as of Tuesday, the entire state of Maine is experiencing at least moderate drought. More than 73% of Maine is experiencing severe drought, including 33.6% of the state that is experiencing extreme drought.
In a statement sent to Maine’s Total Coverage, Poland Spring said that as of Sept. 1, it has implemented a significant reduction in its water withdrawals from its Clear Spring site in Hollis. Poland Spring said it has also implemented reduction measures at other sites such as Evergreen Spring in Fryeburg and Bradbury Spring in Kingfield.
While Poland Spring did not provide specific figures to Maine’s Total Coverage on its water withdrawal changes, the company said when conditions become dry, it adjusts and balances its water collection from its network of geographically diverse spring water sources across Maine.
“We know drought conditions are a shared challenge for residents and businesses in our communities. During these times, we monitor short-term forecasts daily, using the National Weather Service and drought forecast tools, and increase monitoring of water levels at our springs,” Poland Spring said in its statement.
Hollis Town Manager Richard Morin said he has received calls from residents who expressed concern that Poland Spring’s activities might be drying up their wells. He then invited Poland Spring representatives to a Hollis Select Board meeting.
“Within days, they were here and they brought material. They brought a presentation,” Morin said. “That promptness and transparency, to me, speaks highly.
“They have indicated they’re doing everything in their power not to [dry up wells], but if you look at the whole state, I think you’ll find that we’re all under a little bit of pressure here,” Morin added.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) determines how much water can be taken from springs by using groundwater data, and regulates water withdrawals through permits.
At Clear Spring in Hollis, more than 200 million gallons of water can be withdrawn each year. Poland Spring has reported the Hollis watershed receives about 9.8 billion gallons of water every year, which means the withdrawal limit is about 2.5% of the annual replenishment amount.
State Geologist Ryan Gordon with the Maine Geological Survey said for the most part, groundwater usage primarily affects the water table in the immediate area. The Maine DEP said if water levels were to get to a critically low point, it could instruct companies to start reducing their water usage — but it has not gotten to that point yet.
Poland Spring said it will continue to monitor the aquifers it uses in Maine and report its data publicly to the DEP.
“Responsible management of our spring water sources is central to the long-term sustainability of our springs and our operations in the communities we serve,” the company said in its statement.
Poland Spring also said it continues to supply bottled water to areas with dry well issues, and will continue to work closely with local leaders and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.