2026 SAG Award Winners

Town of Brunswick, ME

Project Goal

The goal of this project was to inventory all septic systems in Brunswick by compiling available installation records, site evaluation forms, and property data to create a comprehensive GIS dataset. Using information such as system age, proximity to sensitive resources including shoreland and aquifer protection zones, and the likelihood of failure modes such as leaking or short-circuiting, the Town developed a method to evaluate the relative risk each system may pose to groundwater and coastal water quality. Risk factors were combined using a weighted scoring system to help prioritize areas most likely to contain failing or high-risk systems and to guide future mitigation and potential regulatory actions. Hydro-logic trace-downs were then used to identify downstream collection points where watershed risk accumulates, allowing staff to target water quality testing and focus field investigations in the areas of greatest concern.
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Business Problem Solved

Brunswick works to protect coastal water quality by identifying and reducing sources of pollution and nutrient loading in coastal waters. Recent microbial source tracking detected human DNA in samples from streams flowing into Maquoit Bay, indicating failing or inadequate septic systems may be contributing to declining water quality. Excess nutrients and bacteria threaten public health, shellfish growing areas, and the long-term sustainability of marine resources. This is a major concern for Brunswick, one of Maine’s leading shellfish-producing communities, generating $4–$5 million annually. The town licenses over 70 shellfish harvesters and is home to 11 shellfish farms that depend on clean water to operate. Protecting water quality is essential to sustaining the marine economy, supporting working waterfronts, and maintaining Brunswick’s long-standing commitment to responsible coastal resource management.

Technology Implemented

ArcGIS Pro, ArcPy, ArcGIS API for Python, ArcGIS Experience Builder, ArcGIS StoryMaps

Development Team Biography

The team brought extensive experience in coastal resource management, wastewater evaluation, GIS analysis, and environmental science. Jessica Hanscom, a GIS professional with a civil engineering background and 23 years of GIS experience, provided mapping, analysis, programing and data management. Emily Stone, Marine Resource Technician, has a background in marine biology and was responsible for data collection and quality assurance. Dan Devereaux, Coastal Resource Manager, with over 30 years of experience in shellfish management, National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements, shellfish growing water classification, pollution assessment, and shellfish propagation programs provided valuable input into the analysis. David Rocque, retired State Soil Scientist with 33 years of service, is recognized as one of Maine’s leading experts in soils and septic systems. He provided technical guidance on septic system performance, site limitations, and nutrient transport in coastal soils.

Company Overview

Brunswick is a coastal town in Cumberland County, Maine, with a 2020 Census population of 21,756. With more than 61 miles of coastline and 20 miles along the Androscoggin River, Brunswick’s identity is closely tied to its coastal and riverine waters. The shoreline includes several peninsulas, protected embayments, and rare natural communities such as salt marshes, mudflats, and eelgrass beds, all of which play an important role in the local marine economy.
The Town makes extensive use of ArcGIS Online to support planning, environmental management, and infrastructure projects. The Town currently has one GIS professional on staff, Jessica Hanscom, who manages GIS data, mapping, and spatial analysis for multiple departments.

Return on Investment

In 2025, Maquoit Bay – one of Maine’s most productive shellfish growing areas – was reclassified to a 1-inch conditional rainfall closure, requiring a 14-day shutdown after more than one inch of rain in a 24-hour period. Each closure results in about $5,400 in lost revenue per day, totaling over $345,000 in losses during an average rainfall year. This project has already identified and helped remediate a failing septic system within 100 feet of the shoreline and is expected to support an upgrade to Maquoit Bay’s water classification this year, restoring harvestable days lost in recent years. The work required approximately 500 staff hours and about $13,500 in wages, a small cost compared to protecting a multi-million-dollar marine economy. Additional benefits include digitized property records, improved watershed planning, better-informed groundwater and stormwater management, and stronger environmental planning, all of which reduce staff time and improve long-term efficiency.