The overarching goal of District watershed projects is to conserve Cumberland County's water resources.  District projects identify and mitigate sources of pollution through various projects, including:

• Watershed survey and implementation projects
• Development of watershed management plans
• Restoration projects on urban impaired streams
• Stakeholder groups and forums

Click on the links to the left to learn more about our current watershed programs.

The Number One Threat: Stormwater Runoff

Rain and snow melt that flow across the land is the largest source of pollution to Maine's fresh water lakes, ponds, streams and rivers because:

• The water can wash phosphorus into water, which can lead to nuisance algal blooms that cloud the water and impact wildlife habitat 
• The water can wash soil into our water bodies.  Soil darkens the water, allowing it to absorb more sunlight and raise its temperature, which is a problem for Maine's cold water species
• In urban settings, runoff also washes toxic chemicals (metals, lawn care products, oil, etc.), bacteria, and nutrients off pavement and directly into streams, wetlands, and bays
• A University of Maine study found that as water clarity decreases, property values also decline