It’s been four years since Windham voters first approved creating the North Windham Wastewater Treatment project to the new plant becoming fully operational, but late last month that milestone event took place.
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| The new North Windham Wastewater Treatment Plant is now fully operational on the grounds of Manchester School in Windham. It is designed to remove 25,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants each year being dumped by septic systems into the aquifer and watershed. COURTESY PHOTO |
Plans were approved by Windham voters in a special referendum in June 2022 that included construction of a public wastewater system, and it will result in the removal of about 100 septic systems that were discharging into the North Windham aquifer. Because of the lack of an effective sewer system in North Windham, over the years contaminants have continued to pollute the aquifer, threatening surrounding ponds and lakes, and stifling economic growth.
In addition, for the past two decades increasing nitrate levels have been observed in the underlying aquifer that threatened local water resources including Sebago Lake. Current levels of nitrates in the groundwater have exceeded drinking water standards. Septic system pollution entering the aquifer directly impacts surrounding valuable water resources, and this new wastewater treatment plant addresses the issue before the problem escalated and became irreversible.
The wastewater treatment plant is expected to remove 25,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants each year being dumped by septic systems into the aquifer and watershed. The installation of sewers is expected to stimulate significant economic growth in Windham and lead to development in the area by industries and businesses not willing to locate here because of associated septic system issues and costs.
The new plant uses Membrane Bio-Reactor technology with innovative drip dispersal and will be the first system to use drip dispersal of this scale in Maine. This technology is designed to improve the quality of local groundwater and local waterways, and was chosen for its reliability, flexibility, and overall cost effectiveness for operation.
The contractor building the plant installed influent screens and bubble diffuser equipment for the biological nutrient removal (BNR) and sludge tanks. MBR, BNR and sludge blowers were completed in December and the installation of the membranes that will be used to remove the suspended solids was completed in February. Construction crews also built a control shed for the Manchester Drive pump station with a wet well, valve vault and pumps all having been installed, as well as concrete pads for the shed.
Last December, the sewer rate for the new North Windham Sewer District was established by the Windham Town Council at $16 per 100 cubic feet.
Earlier this year, Windham Town Manager Robert Burns said that because the entire sewer system and wastewater treatment plant will operate at first far below capacity, Windham will use TIF funds to buy down the sewer rate, preventing early users, mostly businesses initially, from bearing the full operational cost. He said Windham expects to raise $1.3 million with a TIF subsidy during the first year of operation for the wastewater treatment plant and sewer system.
The cost of the project was $48 million for the new wastewater treatment plant, new sewer lines and connections to individual properties and businesses around Boody’s Corner as well as to some multi-family residential buildings and a few single-family homes in the area. The new Windham Raymond Middle School will connect to the treatment plant when the school opens.
A Clean Water State Revolving Fund subsidized loan, including $3.25 million in grant capacity will be used to pay for the project, according to Portland Water District Engineering & Asset Management Services. The project also received several million dollars in grants from Environmental Prevention Agency Congressional-directed spending, as well as from Cumberland County and town American Rescue Plan Act funding.
According to Burns, residential property taxes will not be used to pay back the loan. Instead, he said, it will be paid back using Tax Increment Finance District funds.
Now that the wastewater plant is fully operational, the town has sent out information packages to businesses within the collection system corridor including sewer connection applications, access agreements to allow installation of piping and pumps on the properties, and guidance on what can and can’t be discharged to the sewer
Windham Economic Development Company Executive Director Tom Bartell said the new wastewater treatment plant in North Windham will benefit the town substantially.
“This investment is a foundational step in supporting increased residential and commercial density, improving environmental compliance, and enabling future development in the Route 302 corridor, which will strengthen the tax base and expand options for residents and businesses,” he said.
The plant began operations on Aug. 19.
Businesses that are discharging to the collection system right now include Shaws Plaza (Shaws, Staples, CVS, Town Fair Tire, and Pet Warehouse), Reny’s, Portland Pie, Hannaford, Windham Mall and Manchester School.
All of the businesses currently using the new system, except Manchester School, are discharging to the gravity collection lines that flow to the Portland Water District pumping station at corner of Manchester Drive and Route 35, which pumps it over to the treatment plant.
Manchester School discharges directly to the 15-inch sewer line that flows to the plant.
During the rest of this fall, the Town of Windham will be working to add more North Windham businesses to the sewer and wastewater treatment system. <
