Sen. Patrick submits bills to protect integrity of Rumford water supply
AUGUSTA — In the wake of one of the worst droughts in recent memory, Sen. John Patrick, D-Rumford, has submitted two bills to protect the integrity of the local water supply.
The first bill “An Act to Elect Municipal Water Board by Popular Vote,” would make Trustee of the Rumford Water District a democratically elected position. Currently, trustees are appointed by municipal officers.
The second bill, “An Act to Ensure Municipal Approval and Rate Setting When Entering into a Commercial Water Contract,” will guarantee that any deal to sell Rumford’s groundwater to a bottler is a good deal for residents — not just for the corporation hauling their water away.
“Water is a human right, and this drought has shown us just how difficult life can be when we don’t have enough of it,” Sen. Patrick said. “Several of my constituents have seen their wells run dry in this recent drought. Meanwhile, a big international bottling corporation is trying to buy out Rumford’s water. My constituents and I want to know they aren’t being sold up river.”
“Trustees of the Rumford Water District have a huge, important responsibility. Popular elections will make sure that trustees are accountable to the people, and residential approval of deals with big business interests will protect the public interest,” Sen. Patrick said. “This is what local control is all about.”
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