Portland Water District sues company for tapping into hydrant, causing water main breaks

PORTLAND (WGME) – The Portland Water District is suing a company it says accessed a city fire hydrant without permission, leading to multiple water main breaks in South Portland.

Last August, the water district says Railroad Weed Control, which keeps railroad tracks clear of brush and grass, tapped into a fire hydrant on Rigby Road in South Portland.

The district says that led to water main breaks and road damage.

The area experienced four water main breaks in just five days last summer.

The water district says it’s seeking full compensation from Railroad Weed Control.

“In this case, we believe it’s $155,000 worth of damage that our ratepayers are paying for, and that’s what we’re trying to recover,” Portland Water District General Manager Scott Firmin said. “That’s money that our ratepayers have paid for, and we don’t think ratepayers should be paying for damage of our infrastructure that was caused by somebody.”

CBS13 has reached out to the company, and we have not received an official comment.