Maine Water Quality — 168 Cities Tested

Analysis

Maine water quality overview

Maine's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 80.4 out of 100 across 168 cities tested. The median score is 82.9, serving a total population of 2,694,897 residents. 85% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 17 of 168 cities tested (10%). 10 cities exceed the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 95 cities use groundwater while 73 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Maine

17 cities

PFAS Detected

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

141 cities

Health Violations

7,299 total violations recorded, 160 with unresolved issues.

2 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: 66 B: 77 C: 17 D: 6 F: 2

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

168 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	Saco	A	94.3	43K	12
8	Saco	A	94.3	43K	12
9	East Millinocket	A	94	2K	7
10	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
11	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
12	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
13	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
14	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
15	Scarborough	A	93.8	135K	7
16	Greenville	A	93.7	1K	17
17	Madawaska	A	93.6	3K	10
18	Dover-Foxcroft	A	93.3	2K	9
19	Kennebunkport	A	93.2	36K	11
20	Kennebunkport	A	93.2	36K	11
21	Kittery	A	92.8	14K	15
22	Oxford	A	92.5	1K	2
23	Sabattus	A	92.3	2K	26
24	Bath	A	92.1	9K	10
25	Richmond	A	92	1K	16
26	Norridgewock	A	92	1K	35
27	Van Buren	A	91.9	2K	7
28	Parsonsfield	A	91.6	1K	4
29	Parsonsfield	A	91.6	1K	4
30	Parsonsfield	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	Camden	A-	89.5	21K	7
39	Camden	A-	89.5	21K	7
40	Strong	A-	89.5	500	7
41	Camden	A-	89.4	22K	8
42	Bath	A-	88.2	11K	20
43	Milton	A-	88.2	800	50
44	Topsham	A-	88.1	29K	59
45	Augusta	A-	88.1	14K	4
46	Bar Harbor	A-	87.6	4K	4
47	Ashland	A-	87.2	713	25
48	Fryeburg	A-	87	2K	9
49	Avon	A-	86.8	650	31
50	Avon	A-	86.8	650	31
51	Sandy River Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
52	Sandy River Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
53	Sandy River Plt	A-	86.7	1K	9
54	Hartland	A-	86.7	910	45
55	Boothbay	A-	86.6	8K	9
56	Paris	A-	86.6	3K	10
57	Sandy River Plt	A-	86.5	1K	11
58	Dixfield	A-	86.4	1K	19
59	Winterport	A-	86.3	763	6
60	Lewiston	A-	86.2	24K	13
61	Clifton	A-	86.2	9K	26
62	Winter Harbor	A-	86.2	700	17
63	Lisbon	A-	86	7K	14
64	Calais	A-	86	3K	8
65	Freeport	A-	85.4	4K	57
66	Bath	A-	85	9K	31
67	Abbot	B+	84.8	2K	10
68	Abbot	B+	84.8	2K	10
69	Abbot	B+	84.8	2K	10
70	Rumford	B+	84.6	4K	10
71	Auburn	B+	84.5	17K	12
72	Harrison	B+	84.4	863	11
73	Clinton	B+	84.3	1K	7
74	Lubec	B+	84.2	2K	16
75	Milton	B+	84.2	1K	98
76	Northport	B+	83.8	6K	41
77	Mechanic Falls	B+	83.8	2K	5
78	Augusta	B+	83.6	17K	56
79	St George	B+	83.6	708	42
80	Bingham	B+	83.5	1K	40
81	Augusta	B+	83.3	14K	18
82	Newport	B+	83	2K	63
83	South Berwick	B+	82.9	4K	35
84	Washburn	B+	82.9	688	40
85	Eagle Lake	B+	82.9	585	43
86	North Yarmouth	B+	82.7	8K	11
87	North Yarmouth	B+	82.7	8K	11
88	Kingfield	B+	82.6	950	11
89	Augusta	B+	82.4	14K	67
90	Bangor	B+	82.3	36K	11
91	Bangor	B+	82.3	36K	11
92	Machias	B+	82.3	1K	11
93	Damariscotta	B+	82.2	2K	71
94	Bangor	B+	81.7	27K	4
95	Pittsfield	B+	81.3	3K	22
96	Monmouth	B+	81.3	671	13
97	Dexter	B+	81	2K	10
98	Fort Fairfield	B+	80.4	2K	22
99	South Berwick	B+	80.3	6K	77
100	Wilton	B+	80.2	3K	10
101	Bangor	B+	80	32K	11
102	Camden	B	79.7	21K	42
103	Eastport	B	79.6	2K	48
104	Eastport	B	79.6	2K	48
105	Waterville	B	79.3	22K	15
106	Waterville	B	79.3	22K	15
107	Limerick	B	79.3	740	43
108	Scarborough	B	79.2	136K	38
109	Milo	B	78.5	2K	68
110	Bethel	B	78.2	2K	6
111	Princeton	B	78	535	113
112	Farmington	B	77.9	4K	18
113	Bangor	B	77.8	36K	35
114	Anson	B	77.5	6K	51
115	Anson	B	77.5	6K	51
116	Anson	B	77.5	6K	51
117	Ellsworth	B	77.5	4K	27
118	North Haven	B	77.1	740	171
119	Bangor	B	76.5	27K	83
120	Charleston	B	76.5	503	30
121	Scarborough	B	75.2	136K	71
122	Waterboro	B	75.2	4K	61
123	Jackman	B	75	1K	52
124	Sanford	B-	74.5	15K	55
125	Stonington	B-	74.5	727	71
126	Damariscotta	B-	74.4	2K	115
127	Scarborough	B-	74.1	135K	77
128	Waterville	B-	74.1	25K	32
129	Abbot	B-	73.7	2K	40
130	Bath	B-	73.5	11K	42
131	Northport	B-	73.2	6K	32
132	Camden	B-	73	21K	15
133	Gardiner	B-	72.8	9K	22
134	Southwest Hbr	B-	72.6	2K	94
135	Waldoboro	B-	72.6	1K	86
136	Mount Desert	B-	72.5	2K	49
137	Skowhegan	B-	72.3	6K	45
138	Alfred	B-	72.3	1K	62
139	Livermore	B-	71.8	3K	6
140	North Berwick	B-	70.5	2K	35
141	Gray	B-	70.4	2K	10
142	Bingham	B-	70.4	1K	60
143	Orono	B-	70.2	6K	233
144	Vinalhaven	C+	69.4	1K	46
145	West Paris	C+	68.4	540	32
146	Bangor	C+	67.7	28K	56
147	Topsham	C+	67.5	19K	180
148	Carrabassett Vl	C+	67.5	2K	35
149	Fort Kent	C+	67.4	2K	46
150	Castine	C+	67.3	1K	250
151	Jay	C+	65.7	1K	54
152	Presque Isle	C+	65.6	6K	81
153	Camden	C	64.2	21K	46
154	Houlton	C	64	5K	65
155	Caribou	C	63.9	4K	284
156	Scarborough	C	63.8	135K	162
157	Waterville	C	63.8	36K	83
158	Brownville	C	61.1	979	22
159	Bucksport	C-	59	2K	116
160	Scarborough	C-	55.9	135K	39
161	Kennebunkport	D+	50.5	37K	166
162	Mars Hill	D+	50	2K	113
163	Limestone	D	49.6	1K	178
164	Bridgton	D	48.1	5K	124
165	Princeton	D	47	660	316
166	Hancock	D	47	516	299
167	Clifton	F	41.5	9K	188
168	Waterville	F	37.9	22K	160

Counties

Browse Maine counties

Androscoggin 6 cities · avg 84.1 Aroostook 12 cities · avg 73.3 Cumberland 19 cities · avg 80 Essex 1 city · avg 96 Franklin 12 cities · avg 82 Hancock 9 cities · avg 71.6 Kennebec 13 cities · avg 77.5 Knox 9 cities · avg 79.5 Lincoln 4 cities · avg 79 Oxford 9 cities · avg 85.4 Penobscot 18 cities · avg 80.5 Piscataquis 8 cities · avg 81.8 Sagadahoc 6 cities · avg 87 Somerset 10 cities · avg 79.4 Strafford 2 cities · avg 86.2 Waldo 4 cities · avg 84.7 Washington 8 cities · avg 78.5 York 18 cities · avg 84.3

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+ (80.4/100). 85% of cities scored an A or B, while 5% 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 Waterville (F), Clifton (F), Hancock (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?

17 out of 168 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