WaterVerge

Is Wilton, ME Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+ — but Chlorate was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: ME0091620
Overall Score
80.2 / 100
Violations
7 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Surface water
#100 of 168 in Maine Top 51% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
80.2/100
waterverge.com
B+ 80.2/100

Wilton, ME — Water Quality Report

Wilton's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,800 residents using surface water.

Lead levels were measured at 4.9 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 10 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Wilton's water

Wilton ranks #100 out of 168 cities in Maine for water quality, placing it below average 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.

Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.03 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.

As a small community water system, Wilton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
80.2 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.2/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.9 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.1/20
A
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
4/5
B
Water source: Surface water.
Water Safety

Is Wilton, ME water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Wilton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,800 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).

7
Active Violations
4.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Wilton

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Wilton's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

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-4736). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Wilton's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Wilton's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Dec 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 2024 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2022 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2018 TTHM Resolved
Jan 2018 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Franklin 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.

HURRICANE LEE
Hurricane FEMA DR-3598
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4736
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4719

Where does Wilton's water come from?

Wilton's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,800 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.

What Wilton residents can do

Install a water filter

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

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Wilton'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
4.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 33% of limit
Safe Level
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium)
Inorganic
Detected
0.03 µg/L
CA MCL (no federal MCL): 10 µg/L · 0% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Strontium
Inorganic
Detected
27.8 µg/L
EPA Health Ref Level: 1,500 µg/L · 2% of limit
DetectedUCMR 3 Data
Chlorate
Disinfection Byproduct
Over HA
240.0 µg/L
EPA Lifetime HA: 210 µg/L · +14% over limit
Over Health AdvisoryUCMR 3 Data
Compliance Record

Violation summary

10
Total violations
0
Health-based
7
Active / unresolved
Dec 2024
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
7 Active
0 Health-based
3 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
3
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Dec 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2024 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2006 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2004 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2018 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jan 2018 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2018
Jan 2012 Resolved
Asbestos
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Franklin 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)
16.3%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

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

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Sep 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Franklin 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
Sep 2023
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4736
Jul 2023
SEVERE STORM AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4719
Sep 2011
TROPICAL STORM IRENE
Hurricane FEMA #4032
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3256
May 1993
HEAVY RAIN, SNOWMELT, ICE JAMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #988

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.9 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 15.1 ppb from 1993 (20.0 ppb) to 2024 (4.9 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Surface Water
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,800
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Wilton's water comes from

Surface Water

Wilton's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.

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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,800 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Wilton

System Name PWSID Population Source
WILTON WATER DEPARTMENT ME0091620 2,800 SW
Regional Comparison

How Wilton compares

Full Maine rankings →

Wilton's score of 80.2/100 is on par with the average of 82/100 among major Maine cities. It outscores 5 of 10 nearby cities.

Wilton (this city)
80.2
Maine avg
82
City Profile

About Wilton, ME

Wikipedia →

Wilton is a town in Franklin County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,835 at the 2020 census. Situated beside Wilson Pond, the former mill town is today primarily a recreation area.

Economic Profile
$53,824
Median Income
$170,184
Median Home Value
$553/mo
Median Rent
9.9%
Unemployment
Community
41.3
Median Age
36
People / sq mi
23.2%
College Educated
76.4%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Wilton, ME tap water safe to drink?

Wilton's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #100 out of 168 cities tested in Maine.

What contaminants are in Wilton's water?

Lead was measured at 4.9 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is Wilton'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 Wilton?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Wilton's water come from?

Wilton's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,800 residents.

How does Wilton's water compare to other cities?

Wilton ranks #100 out of 168 cities in Maine (better than 40% of state cities) and #7969 out of 15744 cities nationally (49th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Wilton's small water system affect quality?

Wilton's system serves approximately 2,800 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 10 violations on record.