Is Lovewell Pond degrading because of water withdrawals from the aquifer?
Though it has been claimed that groundwater withdrawals from the aquifer are causing Lovewell Pond to change for the worse, we have seen no scientific data to support this charge. In fact, independent scientific studies have found that these water withdrawals are not affecting Lovewell Pond. How has the aquifer been studied? The Fryeburg Aquifer Research Committee commissioned a study of the aquifer by Emery & Garrett Groundwater Inc. of Waterville, Maine. The report, funded by six foundations interested in environmental stewardship, was released in 2005. In February 2008, Normandeau Associates presented its report to the Town of Fryeburg on groundwater withdrawal impacts to Wards Brook and Lovewell Pond. It found that Poland Spring water withdrawals were not causing problems in Wards Brook or Lovewell Pond. The second phase of Normandeau’s work will focus on water quality of Lovewell Pond, and may shed light on the influence of the Saco River on water quality. Emery & Garrett Findings
