EPA New England Press Releases

One Maine business and two Maine water suppliers recognized for protection efforts

Contact: Peyton Fleming, EPA Press Office (617-918-1008)

For Immediate Release: Dec. 5, 2001; Release # 01-12-02

BOSTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in partnership with the New England Water Works Association, today honored the Paris Utility District, the Norway Water Utility District and Bessey Motors of Paris, Maine for their extraordinary efforts to protect the Little Androscoggin Valley Aquifer, a high quality source of public drinking water.

Related Information     Drinking Water Program in New England Drinking Water Topic Page

The "Water Supplier-Business Partnership Honors" were presented by Jane Downing, associate director of EPA New England's Drinking Water Program, at a ceremony today at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine.

Both Paris Utility and Norway Water Districts partnered with local businesses, including Bessey Motors, to adopt pollution prevention measures to protect the local aquifer, which both towns use for drinking water. Bessey Motors worked with these water suppliers to install many safeguards to stop any potential to degrade the local water supply. The Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments also contributed to the project's success.

"We highly commend the efforts of the Paris and Norway water districts, as well as Bessey Motors, to protect this valuable drinking water supply," said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA's New England Office. "Both EPA and the New England Water Works Association are hoping other businesses and organizations will follow their leadership."

The honors certificates were awarded at the fall meeting of the Maine Rural Water Association. The honors program is part of a Drinking Water Protection Business Honors Program sponsored by both organizations. Nominations for the 2002 honors program are being accepted up until March 15, 2002.

More information on how to nominate a business or water utility for the Drinking Water Protection Business Honors Program is available from Ted Lavery, U.S. EPA, at (617) 918-1683 or via email at Lavery.Ted@epa.gov.