Lead Contamination

Lead in Maine Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

154

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

2.5 ppb

State Avg

▼ 2% vs national

vs National

130

Health Violations

Analysis

Lead in Maine: what the data shows

Maine has 154 cities with lead monitoring data, with no cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.5 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. No cities in Maine currently exceed the 15 ppb lead action level. However, even levels below the action level can pose health risks, particularly for infants and young children. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

Maine

0 of 154 cities

← ▼ 2% below national rate (better)

National avg

352 of 15325 cities

City Map

Lead data across Maine

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in Maine

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

All Cities

All Maine cities ranked by lead level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Livermore	12.3 ppb	No	2	B-
2	North Yarmouth	9.5 ppb	No	7	B+
3	Yarmouth	9.5 ppb	No	7	B+
4	Bangor	7.5 ppb	No	3	B
5	Clifton	7.5 ppb	No	5	B+
6	Eddington	7.5 ppb	No	5	B+
7	Orrington	7.5 ppb	No	7	B
8	Veazie	7.5 ppb	No	1	B+
9	Hampden	7.5 ppb	No	2	B+
10	Jay	7.1 ppb	No	9	C+
11	Old Town	6.3 ppb	No	1	A-
12	Waterboro	6.3 ppb	No	10	B
13	Limerick	6.3 ppb	No	9	B
14	Auburn	6.2 ppb	No	8	B+
15	Raymond	5.9 ppb	No	12	C-
16	Windham	5.8 ppb	No	5	B-
17	Jackman	5.6 ppb	No	47	B
18	Woolwich	5.3 ppb	No	9	A-
19	Milo	5.1 ppb	No	59	B
20	Wilton	4.9 ppb	No	0	B+
21	Bethel	4.9 ppb	No	0	B
22	Camden	4.5 ppb	No	11	B
23	Rockland	4.5 ppb	No	4	A-
24	Rockport	4.5 ppb	No	9	B-
25	Thomaston	4.5 ppb	No	4	A-
26	Warren	4.5 ppb	No	4	A-
27	Anson	4.3 ppb	No	34	B
28	Embden	4.3 ppb	No	34	B
29	Madison	4.3 ppb	No	34	B
30	Bowdoinham	4.3 ppb	No	1	A
31	Ellsworth	4.0 ppb	No	14	B
32	North Berwick	4.0 ppb	No	2	B-
33	Eagle Lake	4.0 ppb	No	40	B+
34	Dexter	3.8 ppb	No	4	B+
35	Rumford	3.7 ppb	No	0	B+
36	Baileyville	3.7 ppb	No	5	A
37	Bingham	3.5 ppb	No	5	B+
38	Moscow	3.5 ppb	No	8	B-
39	Gardiner	3.4 ppb	No	3	B-
40	Houlton	3.4 ppb	No	5	C
41	Bar Harbor	3.4 ppb	No	2	A-
42	Norway	3.4 ppb	No	0	A+
43	Mars Hill	3.4 ppb	No	58	D+
44	West Bath	3.2 ppb	No	8	A
45	Alfred	3.0 ppb	No	6	B-
46	Carrabassett Vl	3.0 ppb	No	14	C+
47	Northport	3.0 ppb	No	4	B+
48	Hermon	2.8 ppb	No	5	C+
49	Millinocket	2.8 ppb	No	3	A+
50	Bridgton	2.8 ppb	No	5	D
51	East Millinocket	2.8 ppb	No	4	A
52	Gorham	2.8 ppb	No	7	B
53	Van Buren	2.7 ppb	No	0	A
54	West Paris	2.6 ppb	No	8	C+
55	Strong	2.6 ppb	No	0	A-
56	Abbot	2.5 ppb	No	3	B+
57	Guilford	2.5 ppb	No	17	B-
58	Parkman	2.5 ppb	No	3	B+
59	Sangerville	2.5 ppb	No	3	B+
60	Mount Desert	2.5 ppb	No	19	B-
61	Calais	2.4 ppb	No	4	A-
62	Bath	2.3 ppb	No	14	A-
63	Gray	2.3 ppb	No	2	B-
64	Ashland	2.3 ppb	No	20	A-
65	Caribou	2.2 ppb	No	26	C
66	Oxford	2.2 ppb	No	1	A
67	Paris	2.1 ppb	No	6	A-
68	Southwest Hbr	2.1 ppb	No	60	B-
69	Oakland	2.0 ppb	No	6	B-
70	Kittery	2.0 ppb	No	1	A
71	York	2.0 ppb	No	0	A+
72	Hallowell	2.0 ppb	No	0	A+
73	Washburn	2.0 ppb	No	2	B+
74	Cape Elizabeth	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
75	Cumberland	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
76	Falmouth	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
77	Portland	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
78	South Portland	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
79	Westbrook	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
80	Dallas Plt	1.9 ppb	No	5	A-
81	Rangeley	1.9 ppb	No	5	A-
82	Rangeley Plt	1.9 ppb	No	5	A-
83	Sandy River Plt	1.9 ppb	No	5	A-
84	Howland	1.9 ppb	No	0	A
85	Waterville	1.9 ppb	No	1	B
86	Winslow	1.9 ppb	No	1	B
87	Norridgewock	1.9 ppb	No	6	A
88	Pittsfield	1.8 ppb	No	4	B+
89	Fort Fairfield	1.8 ppb	No	10	B+
90	Lisbon	1.6 ppb	No	3	A-
91	Richmond	1.6 ppb	No	11	A
92	Hartland	1.6 ppb	No	33	A-
93	Fryeburg	1.5 ppb	No	3	A-
94	Vinalhaven	1.5 ppb	No	36	C+
95	Brownville	1.5 ppb	No	10	C
96	Limestone	1.5 ppb	No	95	D
97	Monmouth	1.5 ppb	No	2	B+
98	Mexico	1.4 ppb	No	0	A-
99	Cornish	1.4 ppb	No	0	A
100	Winter Harbor	1.4 ppb	No	3	A-
101	Newport	1.3 ppb	No	54	B+
102	Kingfield	1.3 ppb	No	4	B+
103	Damariscotta	1.2 ppb	No	33	B-
104	Newcastle	1.2 ppb	No	27	B+
105	Vassalboro	1.1 ppb	No	8	C
106	Augusta	1.1 ppb	No	8	B+
107	Chelsea	1.1 ppb	No	1	A-
108	Manchester	1.1 ppb	No	7	B+
109	Winthrop	1.1 ppb	No	15	B+
110	Fort Kent	1.1 ppb	No	4	C+
111	Harrison	1.1 ppb	No	1	B+
112	Kennebunk	1.0 ppb	No	1	A
113	Kennebunkport	1.0 ppb	No	1	A
114	Sanford	1.0 ppb	No	16	B-
115	Lincoln	1.0 ppb	No	4	A
116	Mechanic Falls	0.8 ppb	No	0	B+
117	Lubec	0.8 ppb	No	6	B+
118	Eastport	0.8 ppb	No	42	B
119	Perry	0.8 ppb	No	42	B
120	North Haven	0.6 ppb	No	58	B
121	Avon	0.6 ppb	No	22	A-
122	Phillips	0.6 ppb	No	22	A-
123	Winterport	0.5 ppb	No	0	A-
124	Clinton	0.5 ppb	No	1	B+
125	Charleston	0.5 ppb	No	4	B
126	Topsham	0.4 ppb	No	17	C+
127	Scarborough	0.0 ppb	No	26	C
128	Biddeford	0.0 ppb	No	1	A
129	Saco	0.0 ppb	No	1	A
130	Lewiston	0.0 ppb	No	5	A-
131	Fairfield	0.0 ppb	No	8	F
132	Brewer	0.0 ppb	No	5	A-
133	Boothbay	0.0 ppb	No	3	A-
134	Presque Isle	0.0 ppb	No	24	C+
135	Orono	0.0 ppb	No	12	B-
136	Belfast	0.0 ppb	No	9	B-
137	Farmington	0.0 ppb	No	1	B
138	South Berwick	0.0 ppb	No	11	B+
139	Berwick	0.0 ppb	No	31	B+
140	Searsport	0.0 ppb	No	0	A+
141	Madawaska	0.0 ppb	No	7	A
142	Dover-Foxcroft	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
143	Wiscasset	0.0 ppb	No	19	B-
144	Sabattus	0.0 ppb	No	7	A
145	Machias	0.0 ppb	No	0	B+
146	Dixfield	0.0 ppb	No	8	A-
147	Greenville	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
148	Castine	0.0 ppb	No	10	C+
149	Hiram	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
150	Parsonsfield	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
151	Porter	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
152	Salem	0.0 ppb	No	0	A+
153	Princeton	0.0 ppb	No	34	D
154	Indian Twp St Ind Rs	0.0 ppb	No	4	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in Maine

Is lead in Maine tap water a concern?

Currently, no cities in Maine exceed the 15 ppb EPA lead action level. The state average is 2.5 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from Maine tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which Maine cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in Maine are: Livermore (12.3 ppb), North Yarmouth (9.5 ppb), Yarmouth (9.5 ppb), Bangor (7.5 ppb), Clifton (7.5 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

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