Over 100 years of providing safe and reliable water for drinking and fire protection to the Town of Winthrop
TELEPHONE: 1-207-377-2712
FAX: 1-207-377-8582
E-MAIL: info@winutil.org
WINTHROP UTILITIES DISTRICT
Water Division
29 Bowdoin Street P.O. Box 282
Winthrop, Maine 04364
TRUSTEES MEMBER
LARRY R. MERRIFIELD MAINE RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION
ROGER C. HANSON MAINE WATER UTILITIES ASSOCIATION
BRUCE T. BURNS
June 12, 2026
RE: Bowdoin Street Water Main and Mill Stream Crossing Project - Summer 2026
The Winthrop Utilities District will be starting a new construction project on or around July 15 that will involve the installation of a new water main along Bowdoin Street from the Green Street intersection to the Summer Street intersection. The project will involve excavation and pipe placement along the entire route. Crossing the Mill Stream will require that pipe be placed under the streambed (there is currently no connection either over or under the Mill Stream at that location). Water customers currently taking service along the project route will continue to receive service until they can be connected to the new main.
The new water main will address a potential water supply risk to water customers on the west side of Winthrop. Those customers are currently supplied by a single water main that connects the District’s water supply, located on the east side of Winthrop, to the water distribution system on the west side. While there is no imminent risk to west side water customers, a possible future failure of the existing water main would result in the loss of water supply to all west side water customers until repairs could be completed. The new water main will allow for continued service to west side customers in the event of a failure of the existing main. As an additional benefit, the new water main may provide better water pressure to some west side water customers.
The total project cost is currently estimated to be around $668,000, subject to change depending on the discovery of any unexpected ground conditions along the project route. The project will be funded by the District from funds currently held for this specific project. Consequently, there are no anticipated impacts on water rates.
The estimated construction period will be from mid-July through September. The District is very much aware of the challenges of completing this project during the latter part of the summer season as the Winthrop Town Beach and surrounding areas can be very busy. Unfortunately, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection requires any stream crossing to occur within a two and one-half month window from July 15 through September 30. Completing just the Mill Stream crossing during that period and completing the rest of the project at a later time would require the project contractor to demobilize, then remobilize, during the busy summer construction season which would add to total project costs.
The District has signed a contract with Ranger Construction to complete the project. Ranger has significant experience with this type of project and has successfully and safely completed projects in other congested locations. Ranger is fully aware of the congestion issue at the Bowdoin Street location, and their contract with the District includes provisions to maintain safety during construction.
The District will make every effort to keep Winthrop residents informed as the project moves forward. Any questions regarding the project can be directed to the Winthrop Utilities District by calling 207-377-2712.
Our History
The District was first incorporated in 1923 as the Winthrop Water District. It currently maintains approximately 1,080 service connections that bring drinking water and/or fire protection to approximately 2,700 people in Winthrop and 540 in Monmouth. The distribution system includes over 20.25 miles of distribution and transmission main and 102 public and 9 private hydrants. Water storage for fire protection and peak demand is provided by two tanks totaling 825,000 gallons in storage capacity. The approximate daily use is 260,000 gallons per day with a peak of 560,000 gallons per day. The District in 1993 began filtering raw water through a slow sand filtration treatment plant, disinfecting with chlorine and adding ammonia to form chloramines, next we add sodium hydroxide as a pH adjuster then Zinc orthophosphate for corrosion control. Fluoride is added to the finished water at the end of the process to help customers maintain dental health.
In 1958 the District began construction of the wastewater collection and treatment system. The District in 1969 installed a pipe called the “Trunkline” to Augusta to pump the wastewater from Monmouth, Winthrop, Manchester, and Hallowell to Augusta for treatment to protect the Lakes and Ponds in the area. In addition, the members of the Trunkline Group were given funds through EPA to upgrade the Augusta Treatment Plant thus helping all the communities involved. The Trunkline is managed by the group that uses the pipe the Monmouth Sanitary District, Winthrop Utilities District, Manchester Sanitary District, and Greater Augusta Utility District.
Important Information
Narrows Pond is the primary source for drinking water for the Town of Winthrop.
Pay Your Bill Online
To pay your bill online please click on the link below and it will direct you to the We can assist you at the office or you can visit the inforME website at: Winthrop Utilities District or you may contact your financial institution to set up bill pay.
Winthrop Utilities District is hiring for Water & Wastewater Operators. The District provides paid training, employer-paid health and dental insurance for employees, 13 paid holidays, two weeks of accrued vacation time and one week of accrued sick time, uniform reimbursement and we participate in Maine State Retirement. Pay is dependent upon experience. CDL license and Water and Wastewater Operator licenses must be obtained while employed at no cost to employees. A background check and drug test is required.
Establish Water & Sewer Service
To establish water and sewer service or to check to see if you live in a serviceable area, call the Winthrop Utilities District at 207-377-2712 or email info@winutil.org. We can also assist you in person at our office.
Current Rates
The current quarterly rate for water is $65.54 for the first 900 cubic feet. Then $5.12 for each additional hundred cubic feet. The current quarterly rate for sewer is $201.90 for the first 1500 cubic feet. Then $13.50 for each additional hundred cubic feet. The minimum combined charge is $267.44/quarter.
The current monthly rate for water is $21.85 for the first 300 cubic feet. Then $5.12 for each additional hundred cubic foot. The current monthly rate for sewer is $67.30 for the first 500 cubic feet. Then $13.50 for each additional hundred cubic feet. The minimum combined charge is $89.15/month.
The unit hundred cubic feet is equal to 748 gallons.
Winthrop Utilities District is not a town department, but the Town Council does appoint three Trustees to the Winthrop Utilities Board.
To establish water and sewer service or to check to see if you live in a serviceable area, call the Winthrop Utilities District at 207-377-2712 or email info@winutil.org.
Narrows Pond Watershed
The Winthrop Utilities Board of Trustees will be holding a regular meeting on Tuesday June 23, 2026 at 6:00PM at the office located at 29 Bowdoin St.
The Winthrop Utilities District Board of Trustees will be holding Special Meeting to discuss bids and make award decision regarding the Bowdoin Street and Mill Stream Crossing Project on Tuesday June 2, 2026 at 6:00pm at the office located at 29 Bowdoin Street.
Our Trustees
President
Larry R. Merrifield
Email
Term Expires: 3-31-2028
Secretary
Bruce Burns
Email
Term Expires: 3-31-2029
Treasurer
Roger C. Hanson
Email
Term Expires: 3-31-2027
Photo Gallery
Maine Law Requires Anyone Using Power Tools to Penetrate the Ground (Including Homeowners) to First:
Pre-mark the boundaries of the proposed area of excavation with white markings.
Call 811 three (3) business days (72 hours) prior to digging. Dig Safe® will then automatically notify all of its member utilities that own underground facilities in the area of the excavation so that they can mark their facilities.
Notify all non-member owners of underground facilities in the area of the excavation 3 business days prior to digging as some underground facilities may be private.