The Water Resource Protection (WRP) department has reached a critical milestone in the implementation of its Combined Sewer Overflow Facilities Plan (CSO Plan), which involves the replacement of the Pearl Street Pump Station and force main. Attend or watch tonight’s (April 8, 2025) budget workshop at 6:30 PM in City Hall Council Chambers or at http://bit.ly/SPCTV_Live to hear the presentation from WRP Director Fred Dillon.
Here's a brief overview: As described in WRP's presentation to City Council on July 16, 2024 (https://bit.ly/pearlstreetpres_071624), the Pearl Street Pump Station and associated force main were built over 50 years ago and are nearing the end of their useful lives. The pump station and force main convey all of the wastewater from the west side of the city to the wastewater treatment facility on Waterman Drive. WRP has, over the course of many years, made system upgrades in accordance with its DEP-approved CSO Plan. The next phase involves the replacement of the Pearl Street Pump Station and force main—a costly project, but one which the City must undertake to meet federal and state regulations. Learn more about this project and the work that’s been done to date at: http://www.southportland.gov/pearlstreetpumpstation
Sewer fees will fund this essential infrastructure project, and increases will be necessary in order to support it. The expected increases will bring South Portland’s sewer rate in line with other surrounding communities that have recently invested in new infrastructure or significant upgrades. Staff are also researching ways to mitigate the impact on rate payers, such as through grants.
While the increases are not expected to take effect until July of 2026, WRP wants to make sure the public is aware of the project and knows what to expect. The Department will be holding information sessions over the next several months following the budget presentation.