Water Quality Committee

The Water Quality Committee is one of two that contribute to the work of the Water Action Team.

To learn more or volunteer with water quality, please contact the subcommittee chair, David Edsall.

Mission

To preserve and protect the waters, shore lines, and watersheds of Ellsworth, Maine, in order to assure access to clean water, recreational access, responsible stewardship and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Vision

Current and future Ellsworth residents will have access to abundant clean water and thriving aquatic ecosystems with renewed public water and stormwater management systems and related programs.

Objectives and Actions

Drawing on the input and expertise of shorefront property owners who contribute one third of Ellsworth’s tax revenue, our committee will lead in catalyzing actions to better conserve and protect our water resources. Between 2021 and 2031, we will draw together interested citizens, business owners, non-profit organizations and the CityLead community based natural resource conservation planning process to improve communication and coordination to facilitate actions in the following areas.between area non-profit and profit organizations, community volunteers, and the City of Ellsworth.

Actions in Progress

In May of 2021, a Branch Lake Watershed Survey leading to a Branch Lake Management Plan will be undertaken. With Branch Lake Association Inc taking the lead in fundraising and project management, participants will be drawn from the City of Ellsworth, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Hancock County Soil and Water Conservation District, other lake associations and Ellsworth citizens. Given that Branch Lake is Ellsworth’s public water supply citizens from across the community are encouraged to volunteer to assist in this two-day effort. To volunteer please contact David Edsall

Other Planned Actions

Improving water quality testing and access to data for all Ellsworth lakes and ponds
Creating educational materials and programs to foster good stewardship of our water resources (including control of non-point source pollution and invasive aquatic species)
Paving public and private roads around our lakes to reduce run-off pollution
Improving our public water system
Improving testing and protection of ground water supplies
Contributing to a Union River watershed survey and management plan
Improving public access to our water resources
Conserving the Card Brook Watershed and wetlands and repairing the brook’s impaired status
Developing and training a group of citizen scientists to support these actions.