Wells Harbor Sewer Leak Press Release 8-11-2022
Sewer Leak Update: August 11, 2022
The sewer pipe that the Wells Sanitary District owns in Wells Harbor failed again today. The public can be assured that sewage is not being released because the pump has been successfully shut off. Pump trucks are pumping effluent around to the mainland.
Because of the recent incident, a more serious and significant temporary repair that was scheduled to begin tomorrow, will now begin today. Once this latest repair is completed, the line will be activated. Interim Town Manager, Bill Giroux, has recommended to the Wells Sanitary District that if the line fails one more time, it should not be activated again until the permanent replacement of the entire pipe has been completed.
The main beaches in Wells have remained open throughout these pipe failures and are not compromised by this leak. Testing of the Harbor, which occurs regularly, has been well below the accepted levels and has been deemed safe. However, out of an abundance of caution, the Town has closed the Inner Harbor to swimming, kayaking and fishing other than catch and release, long enough to complete testing after each of these pipe failures.
While the main beaches will remain open, the Harbor will now remain closed until the Town feels that the risk of pipe failure is eliminated. The permanent replacement of the pipe is now permitted after Labor Day but the contractor has not yet committed to that timeline.
There are permanent solutions in the works. The sewer line replacement project has been planned and is permitted to begin September 5th. The public will remain notified of news and updates on this front.
Questions or comments should be made to:
Nick F. Rico, P.E. Superintendent: nick@wellssanitarydistrict.org