SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- South Portland residents and business owners won't find many answers in a report released Monday on the water main breaks that have been happening.

Out of the nine leaks that occurred, the Water District was only able to find the direct cause of three of them.

The leaks that occurred on September 12th and 13th were caused by construction by a New England Utilities Crew. And another water main break on August 28th was caused by hydrant use by the City of South Portland.

As for the six other leaks, the Portland Water District doesn't know how or why they happened, just that it wasn't negligence on the part of the Water District. PWD spokesperson Michelle Clements says it could just be a matter of old mains, and the Water District is working on a long term plan to replace them.

"We look at water main breaks, water quality, our customers service levels, and age of pipe and all that plays into our plan for future water main renewals," Clements told NEWS CENTER.

Clements says the Water District has reduced water main breaks by thirty percent over the past ten years. The finding of no negligence means that the Water District is not liable for any of the damage to the homes and business affected by those breaks.

NEWS CENTER