Maine town to hold hearing on potential renewal of Poland Spring’s water extraction permit
DENMARK, Maine —
The Denmark Select Board is hosting a public hearing Tuesday night about the potential renewal of Poland Spring’s permit to export up to 105 million gallons of water per year from Cold Spring.
The Cold Spring site in the town of Denmark is one of 10 underground spring sites across Maine that Poland Spring sources its water from.
Tuesday’s hearing is a continuation of last week’s public hearing on the potential Poland Spring permit renewal. During the Aug. 11 hearing, a number of residents voiced their concerns about bulk water extractions during periods of prolonged drought. People also mentioned lowered water levels at Long Pond, as well as impacts on residents who have wells.
The Select Board meeting at the Denmark Municipal Office is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. Tuesday. More information about the Poland Spring permit renewal is available online, including the company’s application, statements from residents and the timeline of the permit renewal process.
The nine other Poland Spring sites in Maine are:
Poland Spring in PolandClear Spring in HollisEllis Spring in RumfordSpruce Spring in Pierce Pond TownshipBella Luna Spring in LincolnGarden Spring in PolandEvergreen Spring in FryeburgWhite Cedar Spring in Dallas PlantationBradbury Spring in Kingfield
In October 2025, Poland Spring confirmed to Maine’s Total Coverage that it had implemented a significant reduction in its water withdrawals from its Clear Spring site amid drought conditions. The company said it also implemented reduction measures at other sites, such as Evergreen Spring and Bradbury Spring. In a statement shared with Maine’s Total Coverage in October 2025, Poland Spring said that when conditions become dry, it adjusts and balances water collection from its network of spring water sources across Maine.