📰BIDDEFORD | SEWER... One problem... Only One Pipe... Interviewer: "So right now, if we get a really heavy rain, there's the possibility that sewerage could overflow and end up in the river?"

Interviewer: "So right now, if we get a really heavy rain, there's the possibility that sewerage could overflow and end up in the river?"

Answer: "That is correct." - Jeff Demers, Director, Biddeford Public Works

November 2, 2025, This past week The Biddeford Buzz, along with WGME CBS 13 News, Portland, and Spectrum News Maine, were invited by the City of Biddeford Government to tour the various sewage facilities and learn more about the upcoming sewer bond (Question 1) that Biddeford residents will vote on this coming Tuesday.

In addition to including the information provided by the City of Biddeford below, we also put together a short video (below) including some of what the Public Works Director and City Engineer shared with us.

-PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE THIS TUESDAY- *All information for election day (including parking) can be found here: https://www.biddefordmaine.org/2170/Election-Information

Question 1 asks voters to approve a $20 million General Obligation Bond to complete mandatory separation of the City's storm and sanitary sewer systems.

Biddeford’s original sewer system was a one-pipe system, meaning that the same pipe carries storm water and household wastewater from toilets, tubs and sinks. During heavy rains, the single pipe cannot handle the high volume of water, and as a result, untreated wastewater from our toilets overflows into water bodies such as the Saco River.

The City's Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) program creates a two-pipe system: one pipe that carries the household wastewater to the treatment plant and a separate pipe for carrying stormwater.

The City's ongoing CSO work is critical for keeping wastewater pollution out of our rivers and streams, reducing basement and yard flooding, and creating a safer and cleaner environment.

In fact, it is so important that it is required by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection. The projects that are set to be funded by this bond are outlined in the City's work agreement with the Maine DEP and must be completed to avoid significant fines ($30,000 per violation and $100 for each day that work is not completed).

The estimated cost of the required work through 2036 is approximately $40,000,000. If voters reject this bond initiative, the projects will be funded out of property taxes, causing vast swings in the year-to-year mil rate.

AGAIN: PLEASE REMEMBER TO GET OUT THERE AND VOTE THIS TUESDAY *All information for election day (including parking) can be found here: https://www.biddefordmaine.org/2170/Election-Information #maine #election #sewer #voting #politics

-----Disclaimer *The Biddeford Buzz filmed and edited all of the footage.

No one on the team of volunteers has a background in video editing, so instead, we spent over 8 hours researching and learning video editing softwares and how to execute formal journalistic video reporting.

Next step is volume reduction for background sound when needed.

We are working hard for you and appreciate all of the continued support!

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