PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • August 3, 2023
Ironically, our own Sen. Edmund Muskie sponsored the Clean Water Act. Fifty years later, many of our beaches remain contaminated. Willard Beach is one, and South Portland city officials continue to ignore or downplay citizen concerns. Extremely high levels in the stormwater runoff from a 36-inch drainpipe empty onto the beach and into the bay. Twice-weekly testing by city staff found contamination 9 out of 12 days. High levels of both dog and human fecal bacteria were found in the stormwater runoff, a catch basin and a drain manhole. Toddlers and day campers daily play in the runoff and surrounding shallow waters. No warning signs are posted. ~ Diane Gotelli, South Portland