WATER LOSS REDUCTION & DROUGHT RESILIENCE PROJECT

WATER LOSS REDUCTION & DROUGHT RESILIENCE PROJECT

The Dover-Foxcroft Water District is currently seeking funding to implement a network-based acoustic leak detection system to continuously monitor the distribution system and identify water loss in real time as well as updating nearly 25+ year old equipment used for detecting leaks.

The District will utilize a competitive procurement process to select the most appropriate equipment, incorporating both vendor proposals and recommendations from utilities currently using similar technology. This approach ensures the selected equipment is cost-effective, reliable, and suited to the District’s size and operational needs.

The project will include:

• Procurement of acoustic leak detection monitoring devices
• Installation at targeted locations throughout the system
• Integration with a web-based monitoring platform
• Staff training and system calibration
• Procurement of sub grade water line location equipment
• Ongoing monitoring and targeted leak repair response

The Dover-Foxcroft Water District will lead all aspects of the project, including procurement, installation, and overall management. District personnel bring decades of experience working with leak detection equipment and maintaining the distribution system, ensuring successful implementation and long-term use of the technology.

Since recognizing the impacts of drought on its water supply in 2016, the Dover-Foxcroft Water District has made significant investments in source water protection and system resilience. These efforts include:

• Installation of a deeper intake at Salmon Stream Pond
• Construction of a new dam and spillway to improve water storage
• Redrafting of the Source Water Protection Plan in 2022
• Ongoing limnological monitoring of the water source.

While these improvements have strengthened the District’s water supply, they do not address water loss within the distribution system.

The District pumped approximately 83 million gallons of water in 2025, with an estimated 8–12% unaccounted for water loss, equating to approximately 6.6 to 10 million gallons annually.

Recent leak events further demonstrate the urgency and difficulty of detection:

• November 2025: 425,000 gallons lost during a watermain break.
• December 2025: 725,000 gallons lost while searching for a watermain leak.
• October 2024: 300,000 gallons lost before being found.
• June 2022: A single leak repair was estimated to save up to 1,000,000 gallons annually when discovered during the replacement of that line.

These examples highlight the need for continuous monitoring rather than reliance on current detection methods.

Historical operating data demonstrates that investments in leak detection and repair produce measurable results. Following the identification and repair of a significant system leak in 2022, the District's unaccounted-for water decreased from approximately 11% in 2022 to just over 6% in 2023, a reduction of more than 40%. During that same period, the District experienced no water main leaks, demonstrating the direct relationship between leak reduction efforts and overall system efficiency. These improvements translated into hundreds of thousands of gallons of water conserved and reduced treatment and pumping costs. The proposed Water Loss Reduction & Drought Resilience Project will build upon these proven results by providing District staff with the tools necessary to identify hidden leaks earlier, respond more quickly, and further reduce avoidable water loss throughout the distribution system. See data set below.

 

Project Outcomes

The District anticipates the following outcomes:

• Reduction in non-revenue water from current levels (8-12%)
• Estimated reduction in water loss by 25-50% over time
• Annual water savings of approximately 2.5 to 5 million gallons
• Annual production cost savings of approximately $11,500 to $18,000
• Improved leak detection response time by approximately 50%

 Energy & Emissions Impact

Reducing water loss directly reduces the energy required for pumping and treatment.

Based on typical energy use for water systems, this project is expected to:

• Reduce pumping demand associated with lost water.
• Decrease electricity consumption tied to treatment and distribution.
• Lower indirect greenhouse gas emissions

Additionally, faster leak detection will significantly reduce:

• Vehicle use for leak searching.
• Fuel consumption from extended field investigations.

These combined improvements result in measurable reductions in both operational energy use and emissions.

Project Management

The Dover-Foxcroft Water District will lead and manage all aspects of the project.

• Superintendent (Louis R Durgin Jr): Project lead, oversight, coordination, and reporting
• District Personnel: Equipment installation, system monitoring, and leak response
• Vendors: Equipment supply, training, and technical support
• Town Management: Coordination on reporting and public communication

District personnel have decades of experience working within the system and utilizing leak detection equipment, ensuring efficient implementation and long-term success.

Community Access and Engagement

The District will lead all outreach efforts and coordinate with Town management to ensure clear and consistent communication with the public.

Outreach activities will include:

• Public updates at Select Board and community meetings.
• Information shared via the District website and Facebook page.  
• Updates through local media and newspaper coverage
• Ongoing communication with customers regarding system improvements

The District has already initiated outreach, including a local newspaper publication in March 2026 highlighting interest in this project and efforts to secure funding.

Timeline of Engagement

• Project announcement and initial outreach (Months 1–2)
• Progress updates during implementation (Month 6)
• Final results and community reporting (Month 12)

Criteria for Success

• Increased public awareness of water conservation efforts.
• Community engagement in reporting potential leaks
• Improved understanding of infrastructure investments and drought resilience

Benefit to Vulnerable Populations

Piscataquis County is among the most economically challenged counties in Maine, with lower median household incomes and higher rates of economic vulnerability compared to the state average.

Projects that reduce operational costs directly benefit ratepayers by helping to stabilize water rates and reduce the need for future increases. This is particularly important for fixed-income households and economically vulnerable residents.

By reducing water loss and improving efficiency, this project provides a direct and lasting financial benefit to the community.

The District is currently working with the Climate Action Advisory Committee and has submitted applications for funding to the Community Action Grants from the Maine Resilience Partnership in collaboration with the Town of Dover Foxcroft.