Water Quality: Portland, ME
12 water systems • 136,052 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Portland is served by 12 public water systems with a combined service population of 136,052 people, and has 158 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 11 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Portland's violation count is 275% above the national average for Maine. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Disinfection Byproducts.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Water Systems Serving Portland
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT-GREATER | ME0091300 | Surface Water | 135,068 | 28 |
| PORTLAND WATER DISTRICT/STEEP FALLS | ME0091302 | Groundwater | 480 | 0 |
| SQUIRE COURT LLC | ME0004295 | Groundwater | 75 | 26 |
| DUCK-A-WAY ON CASCO BAY | ME0007001 | Groundwater | 65 | 4 |
| TURNER SQUARE APARTMENTS | ME0092150 | Groundwater | 63 | 5 |
| PINES MOBILE HOME PARK LLC | ME0006513 | Groundwater | 50 | 35 |
| SANDY CREEK HOUSING | ME0092339 | Groundwater | 50 | 17 |
| HARMON PINES DEVELOPMENT | ME0092364 | Groundwater | 50 | 14 |
| COUNTRY VIEW APARTMENTS | ME0092287 | Groundwater | 40 | 6 |
| APPLEWOOD | ME0092367 | Groundwater | 40 | 6 |
| ELWELL FARMS | ME0092366 | Groundwater | 36 | 8 |
| BROOK HOLLOW | ME0092365 | Groundwater | 35 | 9 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Maine
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.