Restaurant loses water over blackflow dispute

A restaurant owner who refused to have the establishment’s backflow preventer inspected had his water shut off Wednesday by the Bangor Water District.

A district work crew arrived at Momma Baldacci’s and shut off the water at about 1:30 p.m. The establishment’s proprietor, Robert E. Baldacci, failed to heed numerous requests for proof that the backflow preventer had been inspected.

“I got through lunch,” Baldacci said. “But I’ve got the dishes to wash.”

Baldacci has been involved in a dispute with the district over its backflow prevention program for the past few years. He has unsuccessfully sought relief through various state agencies, including the Department of Human Services and the Public Utilities Commission.

The action was the first time that the district had to shut off water to a customer, Peter Caldwell, the district’s general manager, said Wednesday afternoon.

The district requires that all type II and III preventers be inspected annually. That requirement excludes most residences.

Baldacci received ample notice that the work device needed to be inspected, Caldwell said. “He was contacted twice by phone and three times by mail. He was notified in the early fall. He told us he wasn’t going to have it done.”

“I didn’t see the need of it in the first place,” said Baldacci. “Why should I pay to get it tested.”

Last year, Caldwell said, Baldacci put off testing the device, but had it tested in the end.

Water service would be restored as soon as the district was given proof that the backflow preventer had been inspected, Caldwell said.

Baldacci said Wednesday afternoon that he planned to have a plumber connect the restaurant’s water pipes to a well that is on the property.