It was reported Aug. 6 (Page A1) that half of Maine’s counties are experiencing a severe drought – even including the Maine coastline. One wonders why, when the last batch of water resources in several counties was sold to Nestle for Poland Spring, no one thought to include in the contract for Nestle to start building desalinization plants in Maine since we also have a substantial resource of salt water. This is what is done in the Caribbean islands, and it would benefit farmland and other public use of water, saving the potable water for the people.

Thomas Brennan, senior natural resources manager at Poland Spring, told the Press Herald in 2016, “We have a business to run. The demand for our brand is increasing and that collides head-on with drought conditions.”

Who was at the helm when these negotiations were going on? Then-Gov. Paul LePage and his personally appointed Public Utilities Commission. Maine’s soul was sold and we were told we’d never run out.

Louise Haggett
Old Orchard Beach