According to the city of Portland’s Combined Sewer Overflow Abatement Five Year Implementation Schedule from 1997 to 2001, the city first began its efforts to minimize effects of sewerage overflows in 1993.  This was the beginning of a fifteen year implementation project.  The master plan of this project sets out some major goals.  These goals are to reduce Portland’s combined sewerage overflows from thirty-nine to six, most of which overflow into Capisic Brook, Fall Brook, Presumscot Estuary, and Fore River.   These have been given priority as they are Portland’s most sensitive water bodies. The last goal  is to reduce the annual volume of combined sewerage overflows. 

            The city of Portland is noted to have undertaken several sewerage abatement projects, but the fact is, Portland is behind the master plan schedule (DeLuca-Hoffman, 1997).  Some of these projects received grants from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.  The largest grant was $1.1 million toward abatement of two combined sewerage overflows on Peaks Island (DeLuca-Hoffman).  These findings fill in gaps left by other references (Speir & Stephenson 2002) pertaining to fiscal costs.  Findings show that local governments do incur a large costs, but sources of funding assistance are available. 

Additional observations made around town drew further conclusions.  Five wastewater outfalls were sighted in Back Cove, and an additional two were sighted off from Portland’s east end.  Upon nearing the wastewater facility strong foul smell was detected.  Although a treatment plant treating wastewater for 64,249 residents (Census, 2000) is expected to emit strong odors, residents and workers in and around the area have complained that this treatment facility is especially odiferous. 

Portland East End Wastewater Treatment Facility

     Photo from Portland Water District                                                               Portland, Maine Back Cove  

                 Photo from Portland Press Herald       

    The concern is that the people of Portland seem to be waiting and paying too much, even though grants are available, they do not cover all the costs.  Are the people of Portland really getting what they pay for?  Secondly, of concern is the fact that Cumberland County is growing.  Although Portland population does not show rapid growth in last ten years (Census, 2000) the growth of Cumberland County does effect Portland.  As more people move to Cumberland County, more people commute to Portland for work.  The population of the city during the work day increases, and this should concern planners for wastewater facilities because these commuting workers do rely upon Portland wastewater services.  As the need for the services increases, so does the cost.  Portland needs to investigate an environmentally friendly alternative that is less costly.    

Portland should investigate the possibility of constructing wetlands in suitable, available areas, which would most likely be on the fringes of the city, or in surrounding towns where more land mass is available.  As learned in the earlier mentioned case studies, it is possible to have successful constructed wetlands in cold climates if practices are executed properly for such a situation. 

In a state where tourism is the largest industry and the industry is reliant upon the natural beauty of the area, all opportunities to enhance that positive aspect of the area should be exploited.  Another important industry is that of Maine’s seafood.  Combined sewerage overflows are threatening fish populations through fish kills, and are negatively affecting shell fish harvesting in Maine, and these effects should be taken more seriously as these economies sustain us.  Portland should be especially concerned for a couple of reasons.  First of all it is Maine’s flagship city and should forge ahead by setting good examples for the rest of the state.  Secondly, Portland is a major point of contact for tourists, we want to leave them with a positive impression that makes them want to come back again and see more.  A constructed wetlands design implementation in and or surrounding Portland’s borders would provide a unique setting for wildlife, and would simultaneously draw people in to that green space.