01The verdict: is Salem water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Salem's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (96/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Salem's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓A clean compliance record
Salem has no EPA violations on file — a stronger record than most systems its size.
See the record ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Salem's drinking water received a grade of A+ (96 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 900 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. No violations are on record for this water system.
Salem ranks #4 out of 156 cities in Maine for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, Salem may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. Salem has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
02What's in Salem's water
Every contaminant flagged in Salem, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Maine
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Maine
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Salem's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. No violations are on record for this water system.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Salem.
▼ Down 1 ppb since 2024. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Salem's water comes from
Salem's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under private ownership.
900 people
Residents served across Salem's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 900 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEQUOT HIGHLANDS | MA3258001 | 900 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Salem
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Salem's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Salem's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Cumberland County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Salem compares
Scores for nearby Maine cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Maine average (85/100)
Salem scores 96/100 — above the Maine average of 85/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Maine rankings →
93.8 / 100ACumberland, ME
93.8 / 100AFalmouth, ME
92.8 / 100APortland, ME
93.2 / 100CRaymond, ME
55.9 / 100CScarborough, ME
63.8 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Salem's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Salem's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Salem alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Salem, ME tap water safe to drink?
Salem's water quality earned a grade of A+ (96/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #4 out of 156 cities tested in Maine.
What contaminants are in Salem's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is Salem'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 Salem?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Salem's water come from?
Salem's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 900 residents.
How does Salem's water compare to other cities?
Salem ranks #4 out of 156 cities in Maine (better than 97% of state cities) and #247 out of 15382 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Salem's small water system affect quality?
Salem's system serves approximately 900 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 maintained a clean compliance record.