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 ↓
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.
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.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Wilton, ME water safe to drink?
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).
Recent water quality updates for Wilton
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Wilton's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.2/100).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3598). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4736). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Wilton's water supply.
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.
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.
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
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Wilton'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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtFranklin 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
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.
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. | 4.9 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Wilton compares by contaminant
Explore where Wilton ranks among all Maine cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Wilton's water comes from
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.
Water systems serving Wilton
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILTON WATER DEPARTMENT | ME0091620 | 2,800 | SW |
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.
Nearby cities
View Maine rankings →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.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Wilton's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Franklin
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.