Tour of the new L/A Clean Water Authority Facility with ARWC and Androscoggin SWCD
Follow the Flush!
Event information and agenda are below the registration section
Follow the Flush!
*This is a free event*
Have you ever thought of what happens to your waste after you flush? For most residential and business areas in Lewiston/Auburn, waste travels through a series of pipes to a wastewater (sewage) treatment facility. L/A Clean Water Authority has been upgrading their facilities to improve treatment and manage high levels of flow every minute of every day. You may have noticed a large structure that’s been built over the past year on Lincoln Street. That is there to protect overflow into the Androscoggin River during heavy rain events! Join us on June 25th to learn
How your waste is treated at L/A Clean Water or any other facility
What has been and is currently being done to upgrade wastewater treatment facilities
What happens to the treated waste and how it impacts the rivers
What the water quality of the Androscoggin River is (it’s much better than its classification!)
This event is inside and outside. Please dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes. If heavy rain is predicted, we will postpone for a later date.
Evening Agenda
5:30 – 5:50 – Pizza and Refreshments
5:50 – 6:00 – Review of the treatment process and improvements at L/A Clean Water
6:00 – 6:10 – Water quality of the Androscoggin River
6:10 – 7:00 – Tour of the Lewiston Auburn Clean Water facility
Authority’s new 2.1 million gallon combined sewer overflow tank
The Lewiston Auburn Clean Water Authority (LAWCA) is near completion of a historic infrastructure project that will improve public health and the cleanliness of the Androscoggin River. Funded through a series of federal grants, and municipal bonds, the 2.1-million-gallon combined sewer overflow (CSO) tank will serve as a relief system to the facility during large wet weather events, when rushes of untreated storm and sewer waters threaten to bypass the facility and flow directly to the river. This project is a great example of our communities’ dedication to the protection and restoration of our river.
The nearly $30M project includes new influent pumps which will increase maximum flow to the facility from 32 MGD to 38 MGD, a diversion structure and pump station, a 2.1 MG storage tank, support building, stand-by power generator, and numerous ancillary components. The project was completed via a design-build delivery method, with the team of Woodard & Curran and Sargent Corporation, performing the work. Construction began in late fall 2024, and is expected to be completed by late July 2026. Resident of LA should be proud of this project, as it embodies our continued commitment to build infrastructure that protects our environment while benefiting economic and business growth in our community.
2026 Androscoggin River Watershed Conference
Conference Agenda
8:30 Registration
9:00 Concurrent Sessions
Shoreland Stabilization: The session will cover nature based stabilization strategies for lake, river and stream shorelines. Nature based solutions are proven to be more resilient to the forces of nature, to benefit fish and wildlife, and to be more aesthetically pleasing. Presenters: John Field, Field Geology, Fluvial Geomorphologist; Nathan Robbins, Maine DEP; Lilit Mathieu Lake Auburn Shore Corps Steward
Planning for Resilient Water Supplies and Lake Protection: Speakers will discuss the importance of considering water resources during the municipal comprehensive planning process. The emphasis will be on protecting drinking water sources for both ground and surface waters. Presenters: Eric Cousens, Executive Director of Public Services, Auburn, ME; Erica Bufkins, Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments; Danielle Olsen, Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission
10:15 Break
10:30 Concurrent Sessions
PFAS in Drinking Water: Learn more about PFAS including the extent of the issue, how it is impacting drinking water, and how Maine and federal regulations differ. Also learn about treatment methods to effectively remove substances from water and wastewater. Presenters: Andy Bishop, Consulting Engineer, ECT2; Courtnay Hanley and Jasmine Bouchard, Maine Drinking Water Program.
Climate Change: Impacts on Water Resources: Climate Change is impacting our water resources at both ends of the spectrum. We are seeing more frequent severe storms and flooding while also experinence more and longer droughts. The session will review impacts on both ground and surface waters. Presenters: Mark Dubois, Geologist, Poland Spring Water; Maine Department of Transportation staff
11:45 Lunch, ARWC Annual Meeting and Election of Board Members and Officers.
1:15 Pumped Storage for Electrical Generation: Western Maine Energy Storage will provide information about their proposed pumped storage facility in the Dixfield area of Western Maine. The project would be a 500 megawatt facility designed to help the New England grid meet peak power demands.
Restoring the Sabattus River Watershed + Beyond
Zoom on-line Workshop Registration at Sabattus Watershed +
Photo by John Burrows.