The extension of nature trails around Nequasset Lake and the installation of a new water main system are among some of the projects the Bath Water District has planned for the coming summer.

Water District Superintendent Trevor Hunt said he would like to improve the water quality and reliability of the system for residences on Miller Street. Currently, there are decks built over the water main and septic systems installed nearby.

There is also an inch and a half pipe that “spews water out 24 hours a day, seven days a week down into the gully” behind office buildings on Miller Street, according to Board of Selectmen chairman David King. 

Hunt said it was an early 20th century 16-inch main that is too big to service five residences.

“It's basically like a great, big iron tank in the ground,” Hunt said. “It's very old; tuberculated a little bit, I'm sure. And just sitting there, there's not enough turnover.” 

Corrosion and rust leaching into the water would have an adverse affect on the water, so Hunt said the district keeps water pumping in the pipe to avoid this. He guessed that about six million gallons go out through this particular pipe each year.

The project would involve cutting off and capping this section of water main, which extends into and dead-ends in a section of woods. 

The district wants to extend by approximately 700 feet an 8-inch ductile iron water main to an existing line on Bay Field Drive. In order to do so, they would need to acquire an easement from Sagadahoc Realty to build a temporary road, connecting the end of Miller Street with Bay Field Drive.

“We're a public entity, and we prefer to be in a public way,” Hunt said, explaining why they want close off the old main and “loop” the water main for better access to customers.

Hunt said he's hoping this project is going to be one of the first phases of other improvements in town. He mentioned other water pipes that travel under Route 1 and spread out in multiple branches, pipes that go under houses and sheds. “It's very difficult for us to even do anything when we get out on people's property,” he said, adding that they would like to bring some of these lines closer to public right-of-ways.

The district typically spends between $100,000 to $200,000 per year on pipe projects and Hunt believes this project could take up much of this budget. “This is pretty significant.”

Asked about an estimated time frame by board member Alison Hepler, Hunt said they want to launch the project this summer. King asked if the residents of Miller Street would be able to traverse in and out while the project is taking place, to which Hunt replied, “It's got constructability issues.”

In describing the process, Hunt said there will be times during the day when the road would be blocked off by a large tank in its middle. Hence the need for another access point. He said it might take just one week.

Trails and other projects

The water district is collaborating with residents and the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust to help restore the fish ladder at Nequasset Lake Dam. They are also blazing trails along Nequasset Lake for educational and recreation purposes. 

An ongoing forest project on district-owned land involves selective cutting of trees, with the goal of improving the overall health of forested property. 

The water district also has ongoing negotiations between the Brunswick and Topsham Water District, as well as with Wiscasset to improve the interconnection of services among towns. According to Hunt, they are leading the Five Waters Council as part of this interconnection process.