BIDDEFORD — The Maine Water Company has released the first volume of a comprehensive system facility plan, detailing more than $7 million worth of immediate and short-term improvements needed to update the 125-year-old facility to current industry standards.

The Maine Water Company acquired the former Biddeford and Saco Water Company, which serves Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and part of Scarborough, in December 2012. Engineering firms Woodard & Curran and Tate & Howard were hired in January to prepare the plan.

The company made copies of the first volume available Thursday morning and gave local and state officials, as well as members of the media, an inside look of the South Street facility.

The study found code violations related to chemical handling and storage, inadequate lighting, steep and unprotected stairways, inadequate railing height, inadequate electrical systems and high noise levels.

Rick Knowlton, vice president of operations, led a tour of the facility, not hesitating to show some of the areas that need to be addressed.

Knowlton gave an example of how what appeared to be a small project can end up to be more costly than expected. He pointed to the roof in the sedimentation basin room, which had chipped paint that needs to be replaced. Painting is estimated to cost more than $100,000, because of the logistics of the large basins of water.

Knowlton said the former owners were focused on a low-cost product that was affordable, were scrupulous and employed “very aggressive cost containment strategies.”

So far, Maine Water has initiated work on about $1 million of the most critical improvements of the $7.1 million worth of short-term upgrades that need to be done to bring the plant to industry standards.

The past management, said Knowlton were “creative enough” to do the minimal amount of work possible to meet regulations when it couldn’t make upgrades in response to rule changes. However, despite the age of the building and minimal updates, the plant, thanks to long-term knowledgeable staff, provides millions of gallons of water a day.

“This treatment plant makes great water,” said Knowlton.

The second volume of the facilities plan, due out early next year, will explore the option of replacing the current facility. Knowlton said the facility is within the 100-year floodplain of the Saco River, and the risk of flooding is a “significant concern.” The company’s property extends to areas outside of the floodplain, he said.

“With millions of dollars of need, the question is, do you want to put money into the floodplain?” said Knowlton.

Knowlton said the company is introducing technology used in other plants to Biddeford, including remote access of operations through smartphones. These changes will help the plant run more efficiently and allow employees to have “real lives” in a system where someone needs to be on call 24/7.

John Bubier, Biddeford city manager, said Maine Water was “pretty impressive,” not only because of the investments it planned to make, but because of its willingness to show the plant and talk to officials.

The local rates, at $10.40 a month for 100 gallons per day, are lower than those of neighboring water districts. Knowlton said the Biddeford and Saco Water Company had planned a rate increase in 2011, which was halted when Maine Water purchased the company. Knowlton said discussions for proposed future rate increases will begin in 2014.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.