Is Howland, ME Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
90.7/100
waterverge.com Howland, ME — Water Quality Report
Howland's drinking water received a grade of A (90.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,025 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 15 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Howland's water
Howland ranks #34 out of 168 cities in Maine for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Howland purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Howland may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Howland, ME water safe to drink?
Howland's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,025 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Howland
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Howland's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3598). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1755). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Howland's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Howland's water system has 15 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Penobscot County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Penobscot River At West Enfield, Maine.
Where does Howland's water come from?
Howland's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,025 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Penobscot River At West Enfield, Maine (river).
What Howland residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Howland's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtPenobscot County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Penobscot County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1970. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Howland compares by contaminant
Explore where Howland ranks among all Maine cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Howland's water comes from
Howland purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Howland's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,025 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Howland
Howland is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Howland
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOWLAND WATER DEPARTMENT | ME0090710 | 1,025 | GWP |
How Howland compares
Full Maine rankings →Howland's score of 90.7/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Maine cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Maine rankings →About Howland, ME
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Howland's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Penobscot
Frequently asked questions
Is Howland, ME tap water safe to drink?
Howland's water quality earned a grade of A (90.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #34 out of 168 cities tested in Maine.
What contaminants are in Howland's water?
Lead was measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.
How is Howland's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Howland?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Howland's water come from?
Howland's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,025 residents.
Is Howland's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Howland uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 15 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Howland's water compare to other cities?
Howland ranks #34 out of 168 cities in Maine (better than 80% of state cities) and #2096 out of 15744 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Howland's small water system affect quality?
Howland's system serves approximately 1,025 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 15 violations on record.