Is Milton, ME Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 8 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
88.2/100
Milton, ME — Water Quality Report
Milton's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using groundwater.
Lead data is not currently available for this system. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 50 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
What to know about Milton's water
Milton ranks #43 out of 168 cities in Maine for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Milton relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Milton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Milton, ME water safe to drink?
Milton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Milton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Milton's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.2/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3598). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4647). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Violation history
Milton's water system has 50 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 8 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
York County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1987. 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 Cocheco River.
Where does Milton's water come from?
Milton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 800 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Cocheco River (river).
What Milton residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Milton's water.
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.
Milton'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.
Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
York County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1987. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
No contaminant data available for this city.
See how Milton compares by contaminant
Explore where Milton ranks among all Maine cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Milton's water comes from
Milton's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 800 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Milton
Milton is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Milton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MILTON WATER DIST | NH1581010 | 800 | GW |
How Milton compares
Full Maine rankings →Milton's score of 88.2/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Maine cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Maine rankings →About Milton, ME
Wikipedia →Lebanon is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 6,469 at the 2020 census. Lebanon includes the villages of Center Lebanon, West Lebanon, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and East Lebanon. It is the westernmost town in Maine. Lebanon is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Milton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Strafford
Frequently asked questions
Is Milton, ME tap water safe to drink?
Milton's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #43 out of 168 cities tested in Maine.
What contaminants are in Milton's water?
50 violations are on record.
How is Milton'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 Milton?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Milton's water come from?
Milton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 800 residents.
What health violations has Milton's water system had?
Milton has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 8 violations remain unresolved.
Is Milton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Milton 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 50 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 Milton's water compare to other cities?
Milton ranks #43 out of 168 cities in Maine (better than 74% of state cities) and #3609 out of 15744 cities nationally (77th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Milton's small water system affect quality?
Milton's system serves approximately 800 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 50 violations on record.