WaterVerge

Is Milton, ME Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 12 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: NH1581010
Overall Score
84.2 / 100
Violations
12 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#75 of 168 in Maine Top 39% nationally
Local Government
Limited data available
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
84.2/100
waterverge.com
B+ 84.2/100

Milton, ME — Water Quality Report

Milton's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,225 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 98 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Milton's water

Milton ranks #75 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 →
84.2 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
37.2/45
B
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 B+ (84.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,225 residents using groundwater (wells).

12
Active Violations

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: B+ (84.2/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation history

Milton's water system has 98 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 12 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMONOtherTTMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Open
Jul 2021 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2020 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2019 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2014 Groundwater Rule Open

Where does Milton's water come from?

Milton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,225 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Compliance Record

Violation summary

98
Total violations
3
Health-based
12
Active / unresolved
Jul 2021
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

98 Total
12 Active
3 Health-based
86 Resolved
Violations by category
Volatile Organic Chemicals
63
Inorganic Chemicals
11
Total Coliform Rule
6
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Revised Total Coliform Rule
2
Jul 2021 Active
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Reporting
Reporting 0
Jul 2020 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2019 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2014 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 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
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 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
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2021 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2021
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
Showing 20 of 98 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Strafford 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.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
3.9%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

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
1,225
Water Systems
2
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 1,225 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Milton

System Name PWSID Population Source
MILTON WATER DIST NH1581010 800 GW
PINELAND PARK NH1583010 425 GW
Regional Comparison

How Milton compares

Full Maine rankings →

Milton's score of 84.2/100 is on par with the average of 82/100 among major Maine cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Milton (this city)
84.2
Maine avg
82
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Milton, ME tap water safe to drink?

Milton's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #75 out of 168 cities tested in Maine.

What contaminants are in Milton's water?

98 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 2 water systems serving approximately 1,225 residents.

What health violations has Milton's water system had?

Milton has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2021. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 12 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 98 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 #75 out of 168 cities in Maine (better than 55% of state cities) and #6057 out of 15744 cities nationally (62th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.