There are some who want to increase development around Lake Auburn. If the quality of the water goes down because of development, we lose the filtration waiver and must build a filtration system.
Sebago also has a waiver. The Lake Auburn study says a filtration system will have an estimated cost of $35 million to $45 million, possibly more.
A federal grant might cover some of the cost. But the rest of the cost and the yearly operating costs will go directly to those who use the public water in Lewiston, Auburn and others.
And if the lake water has algae and other organic materials to remove, costs will be higher.
New homes built in the watershed of Lake Auburn would add to the pollution of the lake. The houses built there use well water and won’t have to pay for water.
We should definitely improve the septic systems, but as the study points out, that is not the only cause of pollution to the lake. Clearing the land to build, and any introduction to runoff and fertilizers, among other things, would pollute the water.
Do people want to pay more for their water? That is the bottom line.
Clean water, no filtration. How wise Auburn and Lewiston were in the late 1920s to protect the lake.
Lewiston needs to jump on board, too. Auburn and Lewiston residents would shoulder the cost. Lewiston is a stakeholder, too.
Pam Rousseau, Auburn
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