Committed to Our Community

At the Portland Water District, our work goes beyond pipes, plants, and pumps. It’s about people—supporting our neighbors, investing in our workforce, and protecting the water resources we all depend on. Here are a few ways we’re putting that commitment into action.

We Care: Committed to Affordability Lifeline Water Rate Program

Access to clean, reliable drinking water should be affordable for everyone. That is why we created our Lifeline Water Rate Program, which provides monthly bill assistance to qualifying customers who may be struggling to manage household costs.

Residential customers who qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) may be eligible for this reduced water rate. In our service area, the program is administered by The Opportunity Alliance.

Portland Water District has offered the Lifeline Water Rate Program since 2008 and remains the only water district in Maine with a low-income water rate—a reflection of our long-standing commitment to affordability, equity, and community well-being.

Learn more or apply:

opportunityalliance.org

(207) 553-5900 or (877) 429-6884

Investing in the Next Generation $1,500 DiPietro Scholarship

We’re proud to support students who are preparing for careers that keep our communities running. The $1,500 DiPietro Scholarship is open to students in our service area pursuing water, wastewater, or related careers.

Eligible Fields

Water & Wastewater Treatment • Engineering • Environmental Studies •

HVAC • Electrical • Plumbing • Automation/Instrumentation •

Pipefitting • Fire Science • Public Administration • Applied Sciences

By investing in education and workforce development, we’re helping ensure a strong, skilled future for the water sector and the communities it serves.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY BY MARCH 31

Environmental Education in Action

TroutKids: Learning that Clean Water Matters

For more than 25 years, Portland Water District has proudly supported TroutKids, a hands-on environmental education program that teaches sixth graders the importance of clean water and healthy streams.

Each year, more than 500 students raise trout from eggs to fry before releasing them into local waterways—learning firsthand that what’s good for fish is good for people, too.

Egg deliveries in January marked the start of this year’s TroutKids program. Staff delivered trout eggs to 20 classrooms in 11 schools across our service area. Over the coming months, students will care for their trout and discover how everyday actions help protect water quality.

TroutKids is made possible through our partnership with the Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District. Together, we are connecting students with clean water and healthy ecosystems.

Expanding Access to Tap Water

Water Bottle Filling Fountain Grant Program

Branded graphics on display at our newest partner locations: Scarborough Public Library and Camp Ketcha.

Clean, high-quality tap water should be easy to access—at work, at play, and throughout our community. Through our Water Bottle Filling Fountain Grant Program, Portland Water District partners with local organizations to install bottle filling stations in public spaces, helping people refill, reduce waste, and choose tap water with confidence. Beyond hydration, the program creates opportunities to connect with the public through branded graphics that reinforce the importance of clean water and builds awareness of the quality and care behind every glass.

This program reflects our history of sharing Portland’s water with residents and visitors alike, and our commitment to sustainability, public health, and community access.