Residents of Contaminated Maine Mobile Home Park to Finally Receive Clean Water
Residents of Houlton Mobile Home Park in Maine will soon have access to clean water after nearly six years of dealing with chemically contaminated water. The owner of the park, Tony Brettkelly, announced that once the final piece of financing is approved, the residents will finally receive relief from the unsafe water.
The contamination issue arose shortly after Brettkelly purchased the mobile home park. State testing revealed unsafe levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the well water, prompting the management to provide bottled water to residents for drinking. However, the contaminated water continued to be used for laundry, showers, and cleaning purposes.
Moreover, the park’s aging sewer system was failing, allowing water containing PFAS to mix with the wastewater. As a result, additional steps had to be taken by the town to process the wastewater. To address these problems, the park project funding will include the installation of a new sewer system after the water contamination is resolved.
Fixing the contaminated water and sewage systems will bring the mobile home park into compliance with state and local regulations, ensuring that the water is safe for consumption. Tony Brettkelly expressed his satisfaction with reaching this point after years of hard work, acknowledging the efforts of various individuals involved in resolving the issue.
State testing conducted in 2022 showed PFAS levels in the water at 183.4 parts per million, far exceeding the safe limit of 20 parts per million recommended by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. Unfortunately, the water contamination issue at Houlton Mobile Home Park is not an isolated incident in the region, as numerous schools in The County have also tested positive for unsafe levels of PFAS and lead in their drinking water.
The County has been grappling with water contamination problems primarily caused by the use of municipal sewage sludge on farm fields. In response to concerns raised by rural residents about the safety of the sludge, testing revealed elevated levels of forever chemicals, including PFAS. Subsequently, the Maine Environmental Protection Agency prohibited all sludge spreading in the state.
While some residents, like Phil Pierce, have managed to adapt by consuming spring water instead, they are still eager to have clean water flowing through their taps. The infrastructure improvements being carried out at Houlton Mobile Home Park come at a significant cost, but have been made possible through the coordinated efforts of the town, Houlton Water Co., and the Maine Drinking Water Program.
The funding for the project includes various grants, Brettkelly’s financial contributions, and a pending loan from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank. With the necessary approvals, the approximately 80 residents of the park will soon have access to clean water in their homes.
The completion of the drinking water project by Houlton Water Co., with the assistance of grant funding from the Maine Drinking Water Program, has already brought a 12-inch water main to the edge of the mobile home park. It is now Tony Brettkelly’s responsibility, along with the support of the Maine Drinking Water Program, to finalize the water distribution system within the park, connecting it to the main water line.
Brettkelly, who resides in San Francisco but has a deep affection for Aroostook County, expressed his commitment to the mobile home park despite the water and sewer problems. The park, which initially faced drug and crime issues, has seen significant improvement under the management of Paula Russell and her husband Jarret Russell. The extensive infrastructure upgrades being implemented will transform the mobile home park into a safe and welcoming community.
The completion of the water and sewage systems will mark a fresh start for Houlton Mobile Home Park, ensuring that residents have access to clean water and comply with regulations. The efforts made by various parties involved illustrate the commitment to public health and the well-being of the community.
