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May 16, 2022

Lewiston files suit against Auburn Water District in development spat

Photo / Tim Greenway Jason Levesque, mayor of Auburn, said the City of Lewiston's lawsuit was "shortsighted" and that water safety standards would be protected.
By Jessica Hall

The City of Lewiston filed a lawsuit against the Auburn Water District in a move to protect the water quality of Lake Auburn, which is the public water supply for portions of Lewiston, Auburn and Poland.

The lawsuit, filed in Androscoggin County Superior Court on Thursday, follows a move in March in Auburn to rezone 148 acres near the lake, as well as ongoing discussions about updating septic design standards in the watershed.

Lewiston contends that both moves would increase development near the lake, resulting in more stormwater runoff and other harm to water quality.

The civil complaint asks the court to declare that the Auburn Water District does not have the authority to change the definition of the watershed or its boundary. The lawsuit also asserts that any increased development causing pollution to the lake goes against the water district’s charter and its agreement with Lewiston.

“The City of Lewiston and the Auburn Water District have a long partnership to provide clean drinking water from Lake Auburn,” Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline said in statement. “I hope that this dispute can be resolved in that spirit. Until then, Lewiston will fight to ensure that all of us who get our drinking water from Lake Auburn will continue to get clean water.”

“It is unfortunate that the City of Lewiston has embraced this shortsighted approach to eliminating opportunity, while at the same time, refusing to address our most pressing need: remediating the harmful impacts that already exist in the watershed," Auburn Mayor Jason Levesque said in a statement. “As mayor, I will continue to encourage our City Council to support the efforts of our dedicated Water District trustees.” 

Lewiston wants to prohibit development in the watershed without its written consent and the approval of the Maine Drinking Water Program.

The lawsuit maintains that the Auburn Water District is bound to certain obligations under its legislative charter and by a nearly 30-year-old water protection agreement. 

According to the lawsuit, on June 29, 1993, Lewiston, Auburn Water District (AWD) and Turner entered an Interlocal Agreement for Lake Auburn Watershed Protection. The agreement states that Lake Auburn will be kept clean, assuring that water entering the lake is protected by a “well-managed watershed.”

Levesque said there are no current plans for development at the site and says the city is committed to protecting the lake's water quality.

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