SUN JOURNAL • May 12, 2022
After weeks of tense talks between the cities regarding changes within the Lake Auburn watershed, Lewiston filed a lawsuit against the Auburn Water District Thursday in Androscoggin County Superior Court. The civil complaint asks the court to declare that the Auburn Water District does not have the authority to change the definition of the watershed or its boundary, and that any increased development causing pollution to the lake goes against the water district’s charter and its agreement with Lewiston. The lawsuit centers on a recent decision in Auburn to rezone 148 acres lying between the Auburn Mall area and the lake, as well as ongoing discussions about updating septic design standards in the watershed. Lewiston contends that both moves would increase development near the lake, resulting in more stormwater runoff and other harms to water quality.