The first-quarter issue of Straight from the Tap for 2026 is now available!
Straight from the Tap is a quarterly newsletter that discusses current Public Water System regulatory issues and provides guidance on system capacity development. The newsletter is co-produced by the Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP) and the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC).
View or download the 1st quarter issue here!
Included in this issue:
• Treatment Change Application Update
The DWP plans on switching to an electronic submission format for
Treatment Change Applications to streamline the process as a whole.
• Capacity Issues: Staffing
Water utilities are facing challenges in many staffing areas. With nearly
30% of water utility workers being close to retirement age, staffing has
become a big concern.
• DWSRF Awards
The DWP Engineering Team has reviewed the 2026 DWSRF Capital
Improvement Loan Applications and released the draft primary and
backup project lists in December of 2025.
• Worried About Over-Collecting Revenue?
Facts and guidance for water utilities that are concerned about
collecting too much revenue.
• Selling Utility Land?
Guidance on the sale or lease of utility-owned land.
• Cybersecurity: Your Inbox is the Front Door
The DWP is aware of multiple cyber attacks against the Maine water
sector using compromised emails.
• Terms and Conditions: Helpful Tips
Updating your terms and conditions (T&Cs) is an important task.
Learn how updating them has gotten easier.
• Public Notice
Learn about the three types of public notices, and the ten required
elements of each.
• Maine Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
Supporting and promoting statewide emergency preparedness, disaster
response, and mutual aid for water and wastewater utilities.
Please note: Straight from the Tap has information for a variety of water systems, and not all of them are regulated by the PUC. Additionally, information provided by the DWP doesn’t necessarily apply to all water system types.
This newsletter is being sent to the primary operator and the administrative contact for every water system; please forward to any other interested parties.
URLs
Maine Drinking Water Program
• Home: www.medwp.com
• Capacity Development: https://tinyurl.com/MeDWP-
• Straight from the Tap: https://tinyurl.com/SFTT-
Maine Public Utilities Commission
• Home: https://www.maine.gov/mpuc
• Water: https://www.maine.gov/mpuc/
