PFAS Contamination

PFAS in Maine Drinking Water

Ranked by number of PFAS compounds detected · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

13%

% Exceeds Limit

0.8 compounds

State Avg

▼ 8% vs national

vs National

141

Health Violations

Analysis

PFAS in Maine: what the data shows

Maine has 77 cities with PFAS monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program. PFAS ("forever chemicals") were detected in 17 of those cities (22%), with a significant share of cities exceeding the EPA's 2024 maximum contaminant levels of 4 ppt. The state average is better than the national average. 10 cities exceed the EPA MCL for at least one PFAS compound. PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system disruption, and developmental issues. The 2024 EPA rule requires water systems exceeding the MCL to notify customers and reduce levels by 2029. PFAS data comes from the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule 5 (UCMR 5), which required large water systems to test for 29 PFAS compounds between 2023–2025. Not all systems have completed testing — cities without data may still have PFAS present.

Comparison

Cities exceeding EPA MCL (4 ppt each)

Maine

13%

10 of 77 cities

← ▼ 8% below national rate (better)

National avg

21%

1662 of 7853 cities

City Map

PFAS data across Maine

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. PFAS-tested cities are shown; those exceeding the 4 ppt EPA MCL appear in red. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by pfas level in Maine

Highest PFAS levels (compounds)

All Cities

All Maine cities ranked by pfas level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Sanford	7 compounds	Yes	16	B-
2	Lisbon	6 compounds	Yes	3	A-
3	North Yarmouth	5 compounds	Yes	7	B+
4	North Yarmouth	5 compounds	Yes	7	B+
5	Waterville	4 compounds	Yes	8	C
6	Waterville	4 compounds	Yes	6	B-
7	Waterville	4 compounds	Yes	8	F
8	Waterville	4 compounds	Yes	1	B
9	Waterville	4 compounds	Yes	1	B
10	Gardiner	3 compounds	No	3	B-
11	Northport	3 compounds	No	4	B+
12	Northport	3 compounds	No	9	B-
13	Bar Harbor	2 compounds	No	2	A-
14	Topsham	1 compounds	No	12	A-
15	Topsham	1 compounds	No	17	C+
16	Houlton	1 compounds	Yes	5	C
17	Waterboro	1 compounds	No	10	B
18	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	B
19	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	7	B
20	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	26	C
21	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	12	C-
22	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	5	B-
23	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
24	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
25	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
26	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
27	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
28	Scarborough	0 compounds	No	0	A
29	Saco	0 compounds	No	1	A
30	Saco	0 compounds	No	1	A
31	Kennebunkport	0 compounds	No	12	D+
32	Bangor	0 compounds	No	7	B
33	Bangor	0 compounds	No	5	B+
34	Bangor	0 compounds	No	5	B+
35	Kennebunkport	0 compounds	No	1	A
36	Kennebunkport	0 compounds	No	1	A
37	Bangor	0 compounds	No	2	B+
38	Bangor	0 compounds	No	5	C+
39	Bangor	0 compounds	No	3	B
40	Bangor	0 compounds	No	1	B+
41	Lewiston	0 compounds	No	5	A-
42	Camden	0 compounds	No	4	A-
43	Camden	0 compounds	No	11	B
44	Camden	0 compounds	No	9	B-
45	Camden	0 compounds	No	4	C
46	Camden	0 compounds	No	4	A-
47	Camden	0 compounds	No	4	A-
48	Auburn	0 compounds	No	8	B+
49	Augusta	0 compounds	No	15	B+
50	Kittery	0 compounds	No	1	A
51	Augusta	0 compounds	No	8	B+
52	Augusta	0 compounds	No	7	B+
53	Augusta	0 compounds	No	1	A-
54	York	0 compounds	No	0	A+
55	Bath	0 compounds	No	19	B-
56	Bath	0 compounds	No	9	A-
57	Clifton	0 compounds	No	26	F
58	Bath	0 compounds	No	14	A-
59	Bath	0 compounds	No	8	A
60	Clifton	0 compounds	No	5	A-
61	Boothbay	0 compounds	No	3	A-
62	Old Town	0 compounds	No	1	A-
63	Skowhegan	0 compounds	No	4	B-
64	Presque Isle	0 compounds	No	24	C+
65	South Berwick	0 compounds	No	31	B+
66	Orono	0 compounds	No	12	B-
67	Anson	0 compounds	No	34	B
68	Anson	0 compounds	No	34	B
69	Anson	0 compounds	No	34	B
70	Millinocket	0 compounds	No	3	A+
71	Caribou	0 compounds	No	26	C
72	Farmington	0 compounds	No	1	B
73	Rumford	0 compounds	No	0	B+
74	South Berwick	0 compounds	No	11	B+
75	Ellsworth	0 compounds	No	14	B
76	Van Buren	0 compounds	No	0	A
77	Vinalhaven	0 compounds	No	36	C+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about pfas in Maine

Does Maine tap water contain PFAS?

PFAS were detected in 17 of 77 Maine cities tested under EPA's UCMR 5 program. 10 cities exceed the 2024 EPA MCL of 4 ppt for individual PFAS compounds.

How can I remove PFAS from my drinking water in Maine?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing PFAS, typically removing 90%+ of compounds. High-quality activated carbon block filters (NSF 58-certified for RO, or NSF 53 for solid carbon) also provide significant reduction. Standard pitcher filters vary widely in PFAS removal.

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