MAINE PUBLIC • December 23, 2025
Since August, Maine has faced a persistent drought. The Maine-based Poland Spring bottled water company, which draws from sources in Fryeburg and other sites, said at the time it was voluntarily reducing withdrawals. Paul Blest, a reporter from the journalism outlet More Perfect Union, discovered that during September, Poland Spring was taking more water from both places than it did in September the two previous years. Maine Public's review of the data found that over the past two years, between January and September, Poland Spring's withdrawals increased by more than 40% in Fryeburg and nearly 23% in Denmark. But Poland Spring stands by its commitment to long-term sustainability. "I'm angry and I'm frustrated and I wish we had control of our water," said Emily Strahler, who serves as a trustee for the Fryeburg Water District. She says it was concerning to hear that residents' wells dried up over the summer and then find out that Poland Spring is extracting more water from the town this year than it did last.