Municipal water service came to the Gardiner area as a result of a devastating fire in 1882. Several area businessmen formed the Gardiner Water Company, a private company that was chartered in 1885 to serve the communities of Gardiner, Randolph, Farmingdale and Pittston. The water system pulled water from Cobbossee Stream and pumped it to a reservoir that was constructed on the hill overlooking the stream. From the reservoir, water was fed by gravity through hand laid cast iron mains that served the downtown area. The distribution system was installed over the next several years with picks and shovels by imported laborers earning a wage of 90 cents per day.
In 1903, the citizens of Gardiner voted to purchase the water system from the Gardiner Water Company and it then became the Gardiner Water District. Slow sand filtration was added in 1914 improving the quality of the water. In 1964, the slow sand filters were replaced by pressure filters. In the 1970s, the district stopped using water from Cobbossee Stream and began pumping from 2 high capacity wells located on the River Road; these wells are still in service today. Fluoride was added to the water in 1974 as a result of a citizen initiated referendum.
The system grew over the years and we now maintain about 75 miles of mains, 3 wells, 7 storage tanks, and 3 booster stations. We also have 300 fire hydrants and roughly 3500 water services. At our treatment facility we filter through greensand media to remove iron and manganese, fluoride is added to promote healthy teeth, sodium hypochlorite is added for disinfection, and phosphate is added as a corrosion control method.
In 1903, the citizens of Gardiner voted to purchase the water system from the Gardiner Water Company and it then became the Gardiner Water District. Slow sand filtration was added in 1914 improving the quality of the water. In 1964, the slow sand filters were replaced by pressure filters. In the 1970s, the district stopped using water from Cobbossee Stream and began pumping from 2 high capacity wells located on the River Road; these wells are still in service today. Fluoride was added to the water in 1974 as a result of a citizen initiated referendum.
The system grew over the years and we now maintain about 75 miles of mains, 3 wells, 7 storage tanks, and 3 booster stations. We also have 300 fire hydrants and roughly 3500 water services. At our treatment facility we filter through greensand media to remove iron and manganese, fluoride is added to promote healthy teeth, sodium hypochlorite is added for disinfection, and phosphate is added as a corrosion control method.
