Poland Spring Removes Test Wells From Shapleigh

The company was given approval by the state to drill 23 wells in the Walker Preserve. Nestle was looking into using the area as a potential water extraction site for its Poland Spring brand, but some local residents in the towns of Newfield and Shapleigh became upset when they caught wind of the plan. Because of their efforts, both towns enacted ordinances that prohibit large scale commercial water extractions.

As a result, the company began removing the first of the wells placed in those towns Wednesday.

In a statement released by Poland Spring's natural resource manager, Mark Dubois stated that the company is no longer considering the development of a spring water source in that area, and therefore, the wells are not needed.