Touring the Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility

Our District educators got a tour of the Portland Water District’s Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility to better understand one of our regional public drinking water systems. As part of our partnership with Portland Water District, we provide clean water education lessons to sixth grade students in Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Harrison, Portland, Raymond, Scarborough, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham.

Part of this clean water education program is discussing how water gets from the Sebago Lake watershed to students’ taps at home and their classrooms. Our educators learned how water is pumped into the treatment facility, learned why ozone and UV lights are used, and saw where the final treatment occurs before the water goes out to over 16% of Maine’s population. Our Portland Water District tour ended in the water testing lab, where we learned about all the different water quality tests that occur in the watershed, at the treatment facility, and in the distribution network. One of the highlights of the tour was viewing display cabinets that included old distribution pipes made from wood! We can’t wait to share what we learned with students the next time we are in their classes.

We are so lucky to have Sebago Lake and great partners and community members that help keep our drinking water clean and healthy!