Biddeford-Saco Water Company merges with Maine Water

It has been announced that Biddeford-Saco Water Company will merge with Maine Water. Naturally, a significant announcement like this has raised some questions in the community. Biddeford-Saco Water Co. is a privately owned company that has been around for 100 plus years. They have provided excellent service and maintain a very critical water infrastructure in our cities. Growing needs for operating capital to maintain and upgrade our water system led to the decision to partner with Maine Water. With this area poised to benefit from increased economic development, the merger appears to be prudent, and the result of careful planning.

Representatives of Maine Water stopped by the Chamber to introduce themselves. Jerry Mansfield of Biddeford-Saco Water Company also joined us in a conversation.

It was interesting to find out that Maine Water has operated in several municipalities in Maine for over 100 years. We discussed some core issues I would like to share with you.

1. Maine Water operates with focus on customers, communities, employees and the environment.      
2. There will be no loss of local existing jobs as this merger takes place. The local office will remain open, and it will be business as usual.
3.  Biddeford-Saco Water Co. had planned to file for a rate increase in 2012, but thanks to this agreement that request will be delayed until 2013, and maybe even 2014.
4. As always and unfortunately, some feel compelled to spread misinformation. The rumor mill has incorrectly suggested that Connecticut Water, which owns Maine Water, is somehow connected to Nestle’s Corporation, and that they will deplete our water resources and leave town. Simply not true. In fact: the Charter for the Biddeford-Saco Water Company states that the use of the Saco River is specifically for public water usage to the communities it serves. It specifically does not allow for water bottling or non-public usage. 

The Chamber will continue to be engaged with Maine Water and Biddeford-Saco Water Company and will keep our communities’ interests front and center. I am grateful to both companies for proactively reaching out and emphasizing that they consider the Chamber to be a working partner, particularly as we pursue a common goal, robust economic expansion in Biddeford-Saco.