By Rosalie Turner
Part 1
The City of Saco’s Water Resource Recovery Department (WRRD) operates the Saco Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) and city pump stations, providing wastewater treatment services that protect public health, preserve the Saco River watershed, and safeguard the coastal waters of southern Maine. Like many utilities, much of this work happens behind the scenes, unless something goes terribly wrong, as many have seen in the recent documentary about the Portland Water District. The importance clean water treatment facilities have on community life and environmental protection cannot be overstated.
The foundations of Saco’s wastewater treatment system date back to the late 1960s, when the city formally requested construction of a sanitary sewer treatment plant around 1967. The current facility was constructed in the 1970s and has served the community for decades as an essential piece of public infrastructure. Over the years, upgrades and improvements have helped the facility meet evolving environmental regulations and the needs of a growing community. Today, approximately one hundred miles of sewer run throughout Saco serving over 13,800 residents and 418 businesses. The facility is currently designed to treat 4.2 million gallons per day and can receive up to 8 million gallons per day. A glimpse into the future portrays an increase in capacity once Saco’s upgrade project is completed in 2027.
The Saco WRRF uses a multi-stage wastewater treatment process designed to protect both human health and the environment. Wastewater first passes through preliminary treatment where screens and grit removal systems eliminate debris and inorganic material. Primary clarification allows heavier solids to settle, while biological treatment uses beneficial microorganisms to break down organic material and nutrients. Secondary clarification separates treated water from biological solids before the clean effluent is safely discharged in accordance with regulatory standards. Solids are then processed and stabilized for appropriate disposal. The point of discharge is located within the Saco River.
The Saco WRRD is staffed by a close-knit team of ten professionals including operators, mechanics, an electrician, a laboratory technician, a compliance manager, office and finance manager, deputy director and director. Together, they bring decades of combined experience in wastewater operations, environmental compliance, and infrastructure maintenance. The team’s commitment to technical excellence and collaboration allows the utility to respond quickly to operational challenges and maintain high performance standards. Regular meetings and clear, direct communication are values the team prioritizes to ensure day-to-day work efficiency.
Customer service plays an important role in the department’s work. Staff regularly engage with residents, businesses, and developers through phone calls, in-person meetings, and site visits. The city also offers online forms and resources that allow customers to communicate directly with the WRRD. Whether addressing service requests, supporting infrastructure planning, or responding to concerns such as odor complaints, the department emphasizes responsiveness and transparency. Following up with residents is a key effort the WRRD undertakes to help individuals stay informed about the actions being taken in response to an inquiry or incident.
Like many coastal utilities, Saco faces challenges associated with aging infrastructure and changing environmental conditions. High tides and wet-weather events have historically placed stress on the existing treatment facility, which also includes the city’s last remaining combined sewer overflow outfall. In response to weather shifts, the City of Saco launched a major upgrade project to modernize the WRRF. The project includes raising portions of the site three feet above base flood elevation, constructing a new headworks and influent pump station, converting an existing clarifier into wet-weather storage, and implementing a new biological treatment system designed to improve nutrient removal and increase treatment capacity. These improvements will significantly reduce discharges and strengthen the facility’s resilience during extreme weather events. Community input has been an important part of the planning process. The city formed a Community Resiliency Committee made up of residents, business owners, conservation representatives, and City staff to provide feedback throughout the design phase. Public meetings and ongoing updates have helped ensure transparency, while a dedicated project webpage provides residents with construction updates and even a live camera feed of the worksite.
Saco’s wastewater facility upgrade project represents a full transformation of the infrastructure and is expected to be completed in June 2027. As construction progresses, WRRD staff are preparing for the transition to the new treatment systems through extensive training and operational planning. Wastewater infrastructure rarely makes headlines, but it plays a foundational role in modern society. Economic development, environmental protection, and public health all depend on reliable water infrastructure. In Saco, the WRRD continues to invest in systems that will support the community for generations to come, ensuring that where the water flows, the community thrives.
Part 2
Saco’s drinking water is supplied by Maine Water through the Biddeford and Saco water system, sourced from the Saco River and treated at the company’s Saco River Drinking Water Resource Center in Biddeford. The current facility, which came online in 2022, replaced an aging treatment plant that was originally built in the 1880s, the latest substantial upgrade occurred in the 1930s. Although the older plant sat just outside the Saco River’s 100-year floodplain, it experienced multiple flooding events, including one in the 1980s, which underscored the need for a more resilient and modern facility. In response, a new treatment plant was constructed across the street and farther uphill, safely outside the 500-year floodplain. The project also prompted a regional collaboration among Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and the Pine Point area of Scarborough, due to all communities being served by the system. After jointly reviewing infrastructure needs and supporting the investment, the new facility officially went online in 2022.
The treatment process begins at the Saco River, where a pump station lifts raw water to the new facility for conventional treatment. Once inside, the water moves through coagulation, sedimentation, and filtration, processes undergone to remove particles and impurities. After these physical treatment steps, operators apply disinfectants and water-quality adjustments, including chlorine, fluoride, pH adjustment, a corrosion inhibitor, and chloramines formed by combining chlorine with ammonia. These measures ensure that the water entering the distribution system is safe, stable, and protective of public health.
Delivering high-quality drinking water requires a dedicated team. At the Biddeford treatment facility, licensed operators oversee the treatment process around the clock. In Saco, a staff of twenty-four distribution professionals handle field service, construction, maintenance, line locating, customer service, and meter reading. Additionally, there is a consolidated office that supports all of Maine Waters twenty-one systems across the state. The team consists of engineering, billing, IT, and finance departments, from offices located in Saco and Rockport.
The Biddeford and Saco system provides drinking water to roughly 18,000 customers, forming one of Maine Water’s largest service areas. Statewide, the company operates five surface water treatment plants and six groundwater facilities. In Saco, long-term planning is guided by a Water System Master Plan that is updated every five years. Maine Water collaborates closely with the City of Saco on infrastructure improvements, including pipe replacements, relocating water mains out of flood-prone areas, and enhancing system resilience. The company also partners with the city under contract and handles all sewer billing, cash receipts and customer service for Saco’s sewer usage fees. This highlights an important collaboration between the two entities that has been ongoing since 2014.
Maine Water maintains a strong presence in local schools and civic organizations, making educational outreach a priority. The company provides hydrant training for fire departments, hosts school groups for hands-on learning about water treatment, and welcomes vocational students interested in environmental science and water careers. Programs like Water Drop Watchers bring water-cycle and conservation lessons to elementary classrooms, while open houses and facility tours invite the broader community to learn about their drinking water firsthand. Additionally, regular customer newsletters help keep residents informed about ongoing projects and system updates.
Looking ahead, Maine Water is committed to replacing aging and undersized pipes, with a goal of achieving a 1% annual replacement rate beginning in 2027, aligned with the expected 100-year lifecycle of water mains. The company also offers programs such as rain barrels to help customers conserve water and reduce stormwater runoff. If you are a customer, you can pick up yours today!
Maine Water recognizes that there is no substitute for clean, reliable drinking water. Meeting the evolving challenges facing water utilities including aging infrastructure, climate change, and regulatory demands requires sustained investment. While doing so, the company remains mindful of affordability. According to the U.S. EPA’s 2024 affordability guidelines, combined water and wastewater costs should remain below 3% to 4.5% of median household income. Maine Water’s rates fall well below these thresholds, reflecting a commitment to balancing system improvements with customer affordability being a priority.
As Maine Water continues to serve customers today, it is also planning decades into the future. Through thoughtful investment, community partnership, and a dedicated team, the company is working to ensure that the Saco region has safe, resilient drinking water for generations to come.
