Floodplain Info

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published its revised floodplain maps for Androscoggin County in June of 2012 and adopted the official maps on July 8, 2013 after a lengthy public process.

Please review the  official FEMA Flood Insurance Rate (FIRM) maps to access relevant information for your property. For additional information, please contact our Planning office at 207-333-6601 ext 1133 or contact Sue Baker, CFM, NFIP State Coordinator of the Maine Floodplain Management Program at 207-287-8063.

Watershed Info

Lake Auburn Watershed

The Lake Auburn Watershed Overlay District aims to protect water quality, prevent pollution, preserve wildlife habitats, and maintain the potable water supply for Auburn-Lewiston.

Septic System Inspection Program

To safeguard Lake Auburn, the primary public water source, the City of Auburn and the Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission (LAWPC) are launching a septic system inspection program starting in Spring 2025. This effort aligns with the updated subsurface wastewater ordinance (effective July 15, 2024) to prevent contamination from aging or malfunctioning septic systems. Regular inspections help protect public health, maintain water quality, and prevent costly failures.

The program cycles through five years, with designated areas inspected annually. The map below shows properties included in Year 1 through Year 5 which will be required to perform septic inspections.

(Click on image to view map detail)

If a property is sold, an inspection will be required at the time of sale.

To assist homeowners, LAWPC offers financial and technical support (Information to come soon).  They will also be offering information sessions for residents intersted in learning more about the program.

Inspection reports must be submitted to City of Auburn’s Planning, Permitting & Code Department.  A State-licensed Septic Inspector may perform the inspection and submit the Inspection Report (HHE-240 form).  Forms can be submitted in the following ways: Paper Copies, email copies to permits@auburnmaine.gov, or entered online with the SmartGov permitting system.

For questions about the ordinance or septic design and permitting, contact City of Auburn’s Planning, Permitting & Code Department at permits@auburnmaine.gov or 207-333-6601 x 1133

For questions about inspections and technical support, contact LAWPC at lakeauburnwater@lakeauburnwater.org 

FAQs

• When do I have to have my septic system inspected?

• Who can inspect my septic system?

Subsurface Wastewater Unit, Division of Environmental Health, Maine CDCP - Division of Environmental Health | MeCDC | Maine DHHS

• How much does it cost to have my septic system inspected?

• If I had a septic inspection recently, do I have to have it inspected again?

• How much does a septic inspection cost?

• What happens if my septic inspection shows that my system is failing/has failed?