Water resource ‘ownership’ discussed

    DEXTER — “Water: Who ‘Owns’ It?” was the topic of the most recent First Friday Public Discussion at the Abbott Memorial Library April 5. A dozen area residents gathered to hear Carol Feurtado from the Dexter Historical Society describe water’s importance to the first settlers to Dexter, and its subsequent usefulness over the years. The East Branch of the Sebasticook falls nearly 150 feet from Wassookeag Lake to the bog below Fayscott, a steady 40 horsepower’s worth, enough to drive up to 16 different mills since the 1830s. This natural feature was the main attraction for the Abbott brothers, who were wool manufacturers looking for a steady source of power for their mill.

    Dexter Lake, as it was known at the time (“Wassookeag” came much later), is unique in the region for being a headwaters lake replenished by many strong spring sources and therefore not as sensitive to drought as other surface-water fed lakes or streams. Its limestone geology also provides for chemically neutral water, a major advantage for reducing the leaching effects of acids on pipes and other equipment. 
    Randy Webber, the supervisor of the Dexter Utility District (DUD) which is responsible for the present management of Wassookeag and its outflows, explained to the group how lake water is now used, as well as a few harrowing experiences when the dam accidentally was breached or when major storms overcame human structures. He noted the DUD’s mandate to provide adequate flow to downstream users (such as the old woolen mill in Corinna), which sometimes interferes with keeping the lake at an acceptable level for the surrounding camp owners. Webber didn’t know how far back any water use agreements began or even how they were documented, commenting that “It’s always just been done, maybe just by a handshake.” 
    “Ownership” of surface water and groundwater was then discussed, the former being well regulated by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, but the latter, being much more complex, less tangible and less understood, legally resides under the absolute dominion rule, which allows Maine landowners to “own” the groundwater that they can extract from their land, without regard for such extraction’s effect on neighboring properties. 
    Sangerville’s Rodney Haskell helped his father Bill’s well drilling business many years ago, moved to California for a spell, but is now back in the area. From his observations he warned the group that the rest of the world does not enjoy the same access to good water as do we in central Maine, and that pressures will mount to move our water away. 
    Gordon Moore, chairman of the Piscataquis County Soil and Water Conservation District and a lifelong student of hydrology, noted that water-bottling companies look for gravelly subsurface rock formations because the ground water is much easier to remove there than from denser and less permeable soils.  Garland resident Jim Bunn commented that his town is famous for its good gravel and water, and that it wouldn’t surprise him if water-bottling companies have already targeted the town’s aquifers for business reasons.
    The group expressed concern that because we all have been trained to value dollars more than a healthy place to live, we may allow short term decisions for cash to damage the resources we take for granted.  Webber and Haskell both urged DDATT (Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition, the sponsor of the discussions) to continue and increase efforts to educate citizens about the value of their local water resources. 
    “People don’t get too worried about it until it’s almost too late. We ought to take reasonable precautions to protect [the town’s] water before consequences catch up with us,” said Haskell.