The Portland Water District has been serving Greater Portland communities with Sebago Lake water for more than 100 years and upgrading and maintaining the system since 1908. The Portland Water District invests roughly $7 million a year in water main renewals. Since 1985, reported leaks have been reduced due to the effectiveness of this program, even with the continued aging of existing water mains.

The District’s goal with the Water Main Replacement Program is to provide a reliable distribution system designed and maintained to enhance public health and safety. Water main replacement involves replacing existing water mains with new ones to improve water flow characteristics and to improve service to our customers.

Mains are identified for replacement according to numerous criteria, including:

  • Partnering opportunities with municipal and MDOT road reconstruction and combined sewer overflow (CSO) projects
  • Opportunities to improve water quality or address water quality concerns 
  • Leak frequency
  • Aging infrastructure and/or outdated water main material
  • Critical loop feeds (eliminating dead ends based on flow characteristics)

Main replacement projects are typically scheduled for construction between April and November.

Scheduled Projects

This page was last updated: 1/31/25

Portland

a map showing Caleb street

Caleb Street

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement March 2025

The District will replace roughly 1,400 feet of 6-inch cast iron water main originally installed in 1954 in Caleb Street with new 8-inch ductile iron water main.

A map showing Elizabeth street in Portland

Elizabeth Road Transmission Valves

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will replace two large diameter transmission main valves in Elizabeth Road as well as associated small and large diameter water mains. Project work will take place in 2025.

A map showing Hersey street in Portland

Hersey Street – Ocean Avenue to Clifton Street

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Planned for Spring 2025

The District will replace roughly 1,500 feet of 8-inch cast iron water main originally installed in 1931 & 1934 in Hersey Street with new 8-inch ductile iron water main.

map of Kent and Donald street

Kent Street, Dennett Street & Donald Street

Contractor:

RE Coleman

Completion:

Construction to begin April 2025

The District will replace roughly 640 feet of 2.25-inch cast iron water main originally installed in 1955 in Kent Street between Riggs Street and Brighton Avenue with new 6-inch cast iron water main. The District will replace 570 feet of 2.25-inch Cast Iron water main originally installed in 1953 in Dennett and Donald Streets with new 8-inch and 4-inch ductile iron water main. Project work will take place in 2025.

A map showing Providence street in Portland

Providence Street

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will replace roughly 1,940 feet of 12-inch cast iron water main originally installed in 1927 in Providence Street between Ocean Avenue and Presumpscot Street with new 12-inch ductile iron water main. Project work will take place in 2025.

South Portland

Galvanized Pipe Replacement – Various Streets*

Contractor:

R.E. Coleman

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will replace roughly 2,500 feet of 2-inch galvanized iron water main originally installed prior to 1930 in Beach Street, Burwell Avenue, Carver Boulevard, Day Street, Grand Street, Myrtle Avenue, Skillings Street, Skyline Drive, and Vincent Street with new water main of varying sizes and materials. Project work will take place in 2025 and 2026.

*This project also includes scope in Westbrook

Westbrook

A map showing Libby street in Westbrook

Galvanized Pipe Replacement – Libby & Forest*

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will replace roughly 1,060 feet of water main of various sizes and materials in Libby Avenue and Forest Street with new 8-inch ductile iron water main. Project work will take place in 2025 and 2026.

*This project also includes scope in South Portland

a map of pierce and bridge street in Westbrook

Pierce Street & Bridge Street

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will replace roughly 2,300 feet of 6-inch cast iron water main originally installed in 1912 in Bridge Street and Pierce Street with new 12-inch ductile iron water main.

Windham

a map showing chute road in windham

Chute Road – River Road to Pope Road

Contractor:

TBD

Completion:

Anticipated Advertisement Early 2025

The District will install roughly 13,500 feet of new 16-inch ductile iron water main in Chute Road from River Road to Pope Road. Project work will take place in 2025 and 2026.

If you would like more information on these or other water main renewal projects please contact the Asset Management and Planning Group at (207) 774-5961 ext. 3199.