WaterVerge

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 ↓

800 residents served 1 water system PWSID: NH1581010
Overall Score
88.2 / 100
Violations
8 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#43 of 168 in Maine Top 23% nationally
Local Government
Limited data available
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
88.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 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.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
88.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
17/20
B
Lead and copper rule compliance.
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Milton, ME water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

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).

8
Active Violations
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Milton

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Milton's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.2/100).

Disaster
HURRICANE LEE

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3598). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4647). Coastal Storm event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

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.

OtherMRTTMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2009 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Sep 2007 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Nov 2006 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

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.

HURRICANE LEE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3598
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-4647
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Coastal Storm FEMA DR-4367

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

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Milton's water.

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

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.

Compliance Record

Violation summary

50
Total violations
2
Health-based
8
Active / unresolved
Jul 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

50 Total
8 Active
2 Health-based
42 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
21
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Total Coliform Rule
6
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2009 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 2007 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
May 2004 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2003 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2003 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Nov 2006 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 2006
Feb 2004 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Feb 2004
Apr 2003 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2003
Dec 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1996
Jan 1995 Resolved
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
DICHLOROMETHANE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
CYANIDE
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1995 Resolved
o-Dichlorobenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Showing 20 of 50 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2023
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

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.

Sep 2023
HURRICANE LEE
Hurricane FEMA #3598
Mar 2022
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Coastal Storm FEMA #4647
May 2018
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Coastal Storm FEMA #4367
Sep 2011
TROPICAL STORM IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4032
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3256
Oct 1996
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1143

Full contaminants report

No contaminant data available for this city.

Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Milton's water comes from

Groundwater

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.

Local Hydrology

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.

Cocheco River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Milton

System Name PWSID Population Source
MILTON WATER DIST NH1581010 800 GW
Regional Comparison

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.

Milton (this city)
88.2
Maine avg
82
City Profile

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.

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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.