The Wiscasset Water District is moving ahead to address capital improvements of its water system outlined in the district's system analysis completed in 2005.

In the fall of 2006 the district applied for funding through the Maine State Drinking Water Revolving Loan Program to fund a main replacement project for Churchill Street. The project is to address the aging infrastructure within that area of the system and to improve system capacity as this portion of the system is also a major artery from the district's water storage tank.

The district had received notice that the district was selected for funding however was originally on the alternate list. The district then received notice in early August of 2007 that the system had been moved up to the primary list and the project then would be funded and that the Maine Drinking Water Program would like to see the district move ahead with the project in the 2007 construction season. This required the district to act in a timely manner to complete engineering, bidding and construction within a small window of time. The district received and rejected all bids due to the timing and bid prices exceeded the estimated expenses.

Since the fall of 2007 to the present, the district has reevaluated the project, the financing source and the district's long term capital improvement plan. The outcome of this reassessment has lead the district to consider escalating the project to encompass a second project that will address the system capital improvement plan and also better position the district for the potential projects in the near future in partnership with the Maine Department of Transportation and the town of Wiscasset.

On February 1 the Board of Trustees directed the Superintendent to secure financing through the USDA Rural Development program to fund water main replacement projects to include: a portion of Route 1 between Lee Street and Churchill Street, all of Churchill Street and approximately 500 feet northerly on Route 27 from the intersection of Churchill Street.

The water main replacement project will also include the potential replacement of water main along Lee Street, Bradbury Street, Fort Hill Street, Fore Street and Middle Street ending at the intersection of Main Street.

The compilation of these two projects will replace approximately 6,000 linear feet of water main and increasing their size to 12". This project will address the aging infrastructure within the village portion of the system, increase fire flow capacity for fire protection as well as remove any potential water quality issues for the future due to aging of the system.

The district will be moving ahead with the engineering and details to ensure the projects success. District staff will be working with the town of and its various departments to address any concerns and allow for any potential collaboration. The project will tentatively be bid in the end of March early April with a projected construction start time in early May. Major construction is estimated to last 90 days. The district will hold a public hearing to discuss the project and will welcome public input at that time.