Maine Water Quality — 156 Cities Tested

Latest water news in Maine

Recent reporting on Maine drinking water — boil-water advisories, regulatory action, and infrastructure events.

Jun 11, 2026

Maine's PFAS-From-Sludge Crisis Drives a Surge in Blood Testing as Fund Runs Low

Maine spread PFAS-laden sludge on farmland for decades. Now 600+ families get free blood tests and 500 wells have filters as its PFAS Fund runs low.

Read full story →

Analysis

Maine water quality overview

Maine's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 81.4 out of 100 across 156 cities tested. The median score is 82.9, serving a total population of 2,206,678 residents. 87% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 16 of 156 cities tested (10%). 10 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 89 cities use groundwater while 67 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Maine

16 cities

PFAS Detected

10% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

130 cities

Health Violations

6,053 total violations recorded, 148 with unresolved issues.

1 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Maine

Lead in Maine → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Maine → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Maine → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Maine

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → Lithium → NDMA →

State context

10

Superfund sites in Maine

EPA National Priorities List

79.5%

of Maine residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

2,086,004

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

17.6%

of Maine domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit

USGS, 883 samples · 10 µg/L MCL

Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Maine

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 556 private wells sampled across Maine. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

4.3 µg/L

Median arsenic in domestic wells

P90 14.0 µg/L · max 170.0 µg/L

20 µg/L

Median manganese in domestic wells

7.3% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Maine

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Maine, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 2,086,004 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
MCCAIN FOODS USA INC Food · MCCAIN FOODS USA INC EASTON, ME04740	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	1,649,569
SAPPI N.A. INC. - SOMERSET OPERATIONS Paper · SDW HOLDINGS CORP SKOWHEGAN, ME04976	Manganese compounds	230,724
WOODLAND PULP LLC Paper · INTERNATIONAL GRAND INVESTMENT CORP BAILEYVILLE, ME04694	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	86,104
ND PAPER INC. - RUMFORD DIV Paper · ND PAPER LLC RUMFORD, ME04276	Manganese And Manganese Compounds	73,374
TWIN RIVERS PAPER CO LLC Paper · BLUE WOLF CAPITAL MADAWASKA, ME04756	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	43,178

+ 5 more facilities

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Maine water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How Maine cities scored

A: 64 B: 72 C: 15 D: 4 F: 1

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across Maine

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

156 cities in Maine

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Millinocket	A+	97.6	5K	8
2	York	A+	97	14K	6
3	Hallowell	A+	97	2K	0
4	Salem	A+	96	900	0
5	Searsport	A+	95.4	3K	28
6	Norway	A+	95	2K	1
7	Biddeford	A	94.3	43K	12
8	Saco	A	94.3	43K	12
9	East Millinocket	A	94	2K	7
10	Cape Elizabeth	A	93.8	135K	7
11	Cumberland	A	93.8	135K	7
12	Greenville	A	93.7	1K	17
13	Madawaska	A	93.6	3K	10
14	Dover-Foxcroft	A	93.3	2K	9
15	Portland	A	93.2	135K	7
16	Kennebunk	A	93.2	36K	11
17	Kennebunkport	A	93.2	36K	11
18	Falmouth	A	92.8	135K	7
19	South Portland	A	92.8	135K	7
20	Westbrook	A	92.8	135K	7
21	Kittery	A	92.8	14K	15
22	West Bath	A	92.6	9K	10
23	Oxford	A	92.5	1K	2
24	Sabattus	A	92.3	2K	26
25	Richmond	A	92	1K	16
26	Norridgewock	A	92	1K	35
27	Van Buren	A	91.9	2K	7
28	Hiram	A	91.6	1K	4
29	Parsonsfield	A	91.6	1K	4
30	Porter	A	91.6	1K	4
31	Cornish	A	91.6	753	3
32	Baileyville	A	91.5	2K	12
33	Bowdoinham	A	90.9	738	1
34	Howland	A	90.7	1K	15
35	Lincoln	A	90.4	3K	9
36	Mexico	A-	89.7	2K	2
37	Old Town	A-	89.6	8K	6
38	Rockland	A-	89.5	21K	7
39	Thomaston	A-	89.5	21K	7
40	Strong	A-	89.5	500	7
41	Warren	A-	89.4	21K	8
42	Woolwich	A-	88.7	9K	20
43	Milton	A-	88.2	800	50
44	Chelsea	A-	88.1	14K	4
45	Bar Harbor	A-	87.6	4K	4
46	Ashland	A-	87.2	713	25
47	Fryeburg	A-	87	2K	9
48	Avon	A-	86.8	650	31
49	Phillips	A-	86.8	650	31
50	Dallas Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
51	Rangeley Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
52	Sandy River Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
53	Hartland	A-	86.7	910	45
54	Boothbay	A-	86.6	8K	9
55	Paris	A-	86.6	3K	10
56	Rangeley	A-	86.5	1K	11
57	Dixfield	A-	86.4	1K	19
58	Winterport	A-	86.3	763	6
59	Lewiston	A-	86.2	24K	13
60	Brewer	A-	86.2	9K	26
61	Winter Harbor	A-	86.2	700	17
62	Lisbon	A-	86	7K	14
63	Calais	A-	86	3K	8
64	Bath	A-	85	9K	31
65	Abbot	B+	84.8	2K	10
66	Parkman	B+	84.8	2K	10
67	Sangerville	B+	84.8	2K	10
68	Rumford	B+	84.6	4K	10
69	Auburn	B+	84.5	17K	12
70	Harrison	B+	84.4	863	11
71	Clinton	B+	84.3	1K	7
72	Lubec	B+	84.2	2K	16
73	Milton	B+	84.2	800	98
74	Northport	B+	83.8	6K	41
75	Mechanic Falls	B+	83.8	2K	5
76	Bingham	B+	83.5	1K	40
77	Manchester	B+	83.3	14K	18
78	Newport	B+	83	2K	63
79	South Berwick	B+	82.9	4K	35
80	Washburn	B+	82.9	688	40
81	Eagle Lake	B+	82.9	585	43
82	Clifton	B+	82.8	27K	11
83	Eddington	B+	82.8	27K	11
84	North Yarmouth	B+	82.7	8K	11
85	Yarmouth	B+	82.7	8K	11
86	Kingfield	B+	82.6	950	11
87	Augusta	B+	82.4	14K	67
88	Machias	B+	82.3	1K	11
89	Newcastle	B+	82.2	2K	71
90	Veazie	B+	81.7	27K	4
91	Winthrop	B+	81.6	3K	56
92	Pittsfield	B+	81.3	3K	22
93	Monmouth	B+	81.3	588	13
94	Dexter	B+	81	2K	10
95	Hampden	B+	80.5	5K	11
96	Fort Fairfield	B+	80.4	2K	22
97	Berwick	B+	80.3	4K	77
98	Wilton	B+	80.2	3K	10
99	Camden	B	79.7	21K	42
100	Eastport	B	79.6	2K	48
101	Perry	B	79.6	2K	48
102	Waterville	B	79.3	22K	15
103	Winslow	B	79.3	22K	15
104	Limerick	B	79.3	740	43
105	Gorham	B	79.2	853	38
106	Milo	B	78.5	2K	68
107	Orrington	B	78.3	27K	35
108	Bethel	B	78.2	2K	6
109	Indian Twp St Ind Rs	B	78	535	113
110	Farmington	B	77.9	4K	18
111	Anson	B	77.5	6K	51
112	Embden	B	77.5	6K	51
113	Madison	B	77.5	6K	51
114	Ellsworth	B	77.5	4K	27
115	North Haven	B	77.1	740	171
116	Bangor	B	76.5	27K	83
117	Charleston	B	76.5	503	30
118	Waterboro	B	75.2	4K	61
119	Jackman	B	75	1K	52
120	Sanford	B-	74.5	15K	55
121	Damariscotta	B-	74.4	2K	115
122	Windham	B-	74.1	135K	77
123	Oakland	B-	74.1	22K	32
124	Wiscasset	B-	74	2K	42
125	Guilford	B-	73.7	2K	40
126	Rockport	B-	73	21K	15
127	Belfast	B-	73	6K	32
128	Gardiner	B-	72.8	9K	22
129	Southwest Hbr	B-	72.6	2K	94
130	Mount Desert	B-	72.5	2K	49
131	Alfred	B-	72.3	1K	62
132	Livermore	B-	71.8	3K	6
133	North Berwick	B-	70.5	2K	35
134	Gray	B-	70.4	2K	10
135	Moscow	B-	70.4	1K	60
136	Orono	B-	70.2	6K	233
137	Vinalhaven	C+	69.4	1K	46
138	West Paris	C+	68.4	540	32
139	Hermon	C+	68.2	27K	56
140	Topsham	C+	67.5	19K	180
141	Carrabassett Vl	C+	67.5	2K	35
142	Fort Kent	C+	67.4	2K	46
143	Castine	C+	67.3	1K	250
144	Jay	C+	65.7	1K	54
145	Presque Isle	C+	65.6	6K	81
146	Houlton	C	64	5K	65
147	Caribou	C	63.9	4K	284
148	Scarborough	C	63.8	135K	162
149	Vassalboro	C	63.8	22K	83
150	Brownville	C	61.1	916	22
151	Raymond	C-	55.9	135K	39
152	Mars Hill	D+	50	2K	113
153	Limestone	D	49.6	875	178
154	Bridgton	D	48.1	4K	124
155	Princeton	D	47	660	316
156	Fairfield	F	36.4	22K	160

Counties

Browse Maine counties

Androscoggin 6 cities · avg 84.1 Aroostook 12 cities · avg 73.3 Cumberland 16 cities · avg 79.3 Essex 1 city · avg 96 Franklin 12 cities · avg 82 Hancock 6 cities · avg 77.3 Kennebec 13 cities · avg 77.2 Knox 7 cities · avg 81.1 Lincoln 3 cities · avg 81.1 Oxford 9 cities · avg 85.4 Penobscot 17 cities · avg 82.9 Piscataquis 8 cities · avg 81.8 Sagadahoc 6 cities · avg 87.2 Somerset 9 cities · avg 80.2 Strafford 2 cities · avg 86.2 Waldo 4 cities · avg 84.6 Washington 8 cities · avg 78.5 York 17 cities · avg 86.2

ZIP Codes

Browse Maine by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Maine ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Maine's water

Is Maine's tap water safe to drink?

Maine's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B+ (81.4/100). 87% of cities scored an A or B, while 3% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Maine cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Millinocket (A+), York (A+), Hallowell (A+). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Maine cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Fairfield (F), Princeton (D), Bridgton (D). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Maine cities have PFAS in their water?

16 out of 156 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (10%). 10 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Maine Water Quality Report