Biddeford and Saco Water Co. absorbed by Maine Water Co.

BIDDEFORD – The Biddeford and Saco Water Co. announced Monday that it has joined the Maine Water Co.

Both companies became subsidiaries of Connecticut Water Service Inc. after regulatory approval was granted Nov. 7 by the Maine Public Utilities Commission.

The Biddeford and Saco Water Co. was founded 131 years ago and serves 15,500 customers in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and Scarborough.

The Maine Water Co. serves 16,000 customers across the state.

Jerry Mansfield, the retiring president of Biddeford and Saco Water, said, “Biddeford and Saco Water now will have added financial strength and access to resources to invest in infrastructure so the community can rely on a robust water system for health, public safety and economic development for years to come.”

Judy Wallingford, president of Maine Water, also will serve as president of the Biddeford and Saco Water Co.

Rates will not increase because of the transaction, according to the companies. The Biddeford and Saco Water office on Elm Street in Biddeford will remain open.

 

Gas prices in Maine sliding more slowly than nationally

AUGUSTA – Maine gasoline prices continue to trickle down, but aren’t falling as fast as they are nationally.

Price-monitoring website MaineGasPrices.com reported Monday that the average retail cost of a gallon of gas in Maine dropped by a little more than 3 cents in the past week, to an average of $3.53.

Nationally, prices dropped by more than a nickel in the past week to an average of $3.34 per gallon.

Maine prices are now 6 cents lower than a month ago, yet remain 15 cents higher than at the same time last year.

A company analyst says he’s expecting prices to continue to fall.