The Eagle Lake Water & Sewer District in Maine has formally requested the state to impose a ban on the use of pesticides within 500 feet of two crucial wells that cater to the town's drinking water needs.
The State's Bureau of Pesticides Control has scheduled a public hearing for July 19 at 9 a.m. at their Augusta office, along with an online session via Microsoft Teams. Interested parties can access the meeting links through the BPC meeting page prior to the event.
Superintendent Gerald Raymond of the Eagle Lake Water & Sewer District emphasized that this initiative aims to safeguard the groundwater against potential pesticide contamination. The town, home to approximately 400 residents, shares similar concerns with many other areas in Maine where well water is at risk due to the presence of harmful chemicals.
The installation of the two wells dates back to around 2009, according to Raymond. During this period, the district observed neighboring landowners using fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides for lawn maintenance. In one instance, a licensed herbicide sprayer treated a lawn with a chemical to repel geese.
A map included in the briefing materials for an upcoming Board of Pesticide Control meeting outlines the proposed pesticide control area surrounding the two vital wellheads that serve the town.
Efforts to enforce a wellhead protection ordinance in the past were unsuccessful, Raymond mentioned. However, the advice from the state Drinking Water Program prompted the district to seek action through an ordinance or the pesticide control board to mitigate potential risks to the water supply.
While no testing has been conducted yet in the area, Raymond hinted at the possibility of future assessments. Potential restrictions on pesticide usage could impact up to eight nearby property owners and could extend to the railway for track maintenance, according to BPC.
The upcoming hearing on July 19 aims to gather public feedback to aid in the drafting of a regulatory rule but will not conclude with a formal decision on the petition.
Raymond expressed optimism that the proposed measures would enhance protection for the essential wellheads, ensuring a secure water supply for the town's residents. "We're looking to protect our public water supply and hope this serves as an additional safeguard for our groundwater in the long run."