WEST PARIS – The West Paris Water District announced Tuesday that its system intake pump has failed and is asking all customers to conserve water until further notice.

David Walton, trustee chair for WPWD, said free bottled water, donated by Walmart, will be available at the West Paris Town Garage starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

A “do not use” order was put into effect as of 5 p.m. Tuesday.

According to Walton, an electrical surge Monday damaged the main pump and the backup. Since then, electricians have been working to diagnose and fix the issue.

Acting Superintendent Kirsten Hebert, who is also executive director of the Maine Rural Water Association, requested assistance from the Oxford County Emergency Management agency. 

That agency and the Maine Emergency Management Agency have coordinated for bulk water haulers to temporarily replenish the district’s reservoir, which is about half full.

“We’ve arranged for 8,000 gallons to be delivered this afternoon,” Hebert said Tuesday. “We are monitoring the reservoir regularly and tanker trucks will continue delivering enough water to keep the system pressurized.”

Once electricians have completed their repairs, the district will turn its focus to getting the main pump back online. On Tuesday, Hebert said she could not estimate when it would be operational.

Expenses will include electricians’ labor, bulk water transportation, pump parts or replacement, and the cost to reinstall the pump. Maine Rural Water Association, which the water district hired to manage its administration and accounting, is assessing options to cover the repairs and a plan to reimburse accounts from which funds are borrowed.

“Unfortunately, this situation tracks with the other issues WPWD faces,” Hebert said. “This district needs to plan for its future and develop a resiliency not currently in place.”

“We ask all customers to conserve water at this time,” Walton wrote in an email. “We are working as quickly as possible to get the pump replaced and get the system back to normal.

“Please refrain from using water for non-essential purposes, such as watering lawns and gardens, washing vehicles, driveways, and don’t let your garden hose run.”

Additionally, Walton offered some conservation tips for public water users:

• Don’t let water run while brushing teeth or shaving.

• Scrape off dishes instead of rinsing them before loading the dishwasher. Only run when the appliance is full. Use disposable dishes and utensils when possible.

• Use the correct load size on the clothes washing machine. If possible, wait to do laundry until the problem has been resolved.

• Refrain from watering the lawn and washing vehicle(s).

Customers should seek alternate water sources for drinking water such as bottled water. There are three springs regulated by the Maine Drinking Water Program located in the area.

This week the Sun Journal published information on the three roadside springs in western Maine, including a map designating locations. Cooper Spring is on Mount Mica Road in Paris. Bryant Pond Spring is on North Main Street in Woodstock. Peru has a public spring near Worthley Pond on Greenwoods Road, which connects Routes 108 and 219.

“We also ask that West Paris residents encourage family and friends to help in this effort and be mindful of all water use,” Walton said.

Hebert added that Oxford County EMA deserves credit for its quick response in bringing in enough water to maintain the water system’s operation.

Contact information for the West Paris Water District Trustees is: David Walton, 207-892-1618; Judy Boutilier, 207-890-1289; Janet Hebert, 207-515-0915. Customers may also call the water district customer service line at the district office at 207-309-9667.