rich 1.0 Action Network https://actionnetwork.org <link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/protect-lake-auburn?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-protect-lake-auburn' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div> We Protect Lake Auburn https://actionnetwork.org/groups/we-protect-lake-auburn https://can2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/petitions/photos/000/383/792/normal/IMG_8222.JPG Lake Auburn is the single source of public drinking water for the cities of Auburn and Lewiston, and a source of water for the town of Poland. Due to the high quality of water in Lake Auburn, the municipalities have maintained a filtration waiver from the EPA – one of only a handful left in the country – which prevents local taxpayers from having to shoulder the costs of an expensive water filtration plant.   This could all change. Scientists who monitor Lake Auburn tell us the lake’s water quality is in danger of losing the filtration waiver, and that it is threatened by both runoff from existing development, and by Auburn’s recent and proposed ordinance changes in the watershed.   These ordinance changes in the watershed are concerning because many questions remain about the impact these decisions will have on the health of Lake Auburn and public water quality and affordability – now and for future generations. Presently, thanks to the filtration waiver, Auburn, Lewiston, and Poland’s public water rates are among the lowest in the state — less than half of what is charged in many places in Maine. The proposed ordinance changes could pollute the lake and trigger the loss of the filtration waiver. Water ratepayers in Auburn, Lewiston, and Poland could see rates more than double (x2), and all taxpayers would see tax bills rise. Auburn City Council has power to protect the lake in the short term through local legislative processes. Please add your voice to the growing list of concerned and impacted residents demanding that Auburn City Council make sound decisions for the health of Lake Auburn, for public water quality and affordability, and for our community. We believe a majority of the City Council will make the right decisions if enough people demand it. https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/protect-lake-auburn