This week, Midcoast Conservancy will be mailing a survey to all residents who own property on the shores of Damariscotta Lake and major tributaries. The survey will ask residents to voluntarily provide information about their septic or wastewater treatment system to understand how systems may be affecting water quality in Damariscotta Lake. When working correctly, septic systems treat wastewater very effectively. However, if out of date or malfunctioning, septic systems can leach untreated wastewater into nearby drinking wells or the lake. Contacting or drinking water containing untreated wastewater can cause illness in humans and pets. It can also leach nutrients into the lake, increasing the potential for poor water quality and algae blooms.

Once Damariscotta Lake waterfront residents complete the survey, they are eligible to receive a free septic inspection and design, to be paid for by Midcoast Conservancy. This survey is completely anonymous and residents are welcome to provide as much or as little information as they would like. There is no way for us to connect responses with a specific property unless the respondent voluntarily provides such information.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at a location TBD. The results of the survey will be released at this meeting, and it will be an opportunity to discuss common issues or questions with a panel of experts in wastewater disposal and septic systems. Please contact Garrison Beck with any questions, garrison@midcoastconservancy.org or 207-389-5157.