Water Quality in Maine
387 water systems • 162 cities • EPA SDWIS Data
387
Water Systems
6,830
Total Violations
913
Health-Based Violations
691,040
Population Served
Overview
Maine ranks 43rd among all U.S. states for total drinking water violations, out of 51 states tracked. The state has 6,830 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record across 387 water systems serving 162 cities. Of those, 913 are health-based violations, meaning a regulated contaminant was measured above the EPA-established safe level. Maine's total violation count is 81% below the national average. Water systems in Maine serve approximately 691,040 people. The most frequently cited contaminants in Maine violations include Selenium, Disinfection Byproducts, Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate, E. coli, Barium.
Cities with Most Violations in Maine
| # | City | Violations | Health-Based | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mars Hill | 261 | 126 | 1 | 1,500 |
| 2 | Bangor | 245 | 32 | 22 | 28,949 |
| 3 | Orono | 183 | 1 | 7 | 6,151 |
| 4 | Hermon | 181 | 8 | 3 | 340 |
| 5 | Princeton | 180 | 15 | 3 | 660 |
| 6 | Carmel | 177 | 0 | 4 | 301 |
| 7 | Waterville | 166 | 44 | 5 | 22,253 |
| 8 | Portland | 158 | 11 | 12 | 136,052 |
| 9 | Brunswick | 146 | 0 | 3 | 357 |
| 10 | Turner | 127 | 14 | 2 | 223 |
Largest Cities in Maine
All Cities in Maine
| City | Population | Violations | Health Violations | Contaminants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 136,052 | 158 | 11 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts |
| Poland | 92,520 | 102 | 30 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform +1 more |
| Kennebunk | 35,988 | 74 | 0 | |
| Bangor | 28,949 | 245 | 32 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts, Gross Alpha +1 more |
| Lisbon | 23,888 | 41 | 6 | Disinfection Byproducts, Fecal Coliform |
| Lewiston | 23,793 | 5 | 1 | Fecal Coliform |
| Waterville | 22,253 | 166 | 44 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Fecal Coliform +2 more |
| Topsham | 18,628 | 37 | 0 | |
| Sanford | 14,500 | 3 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Kittery | 14,478 | 18 | 0 | |
| Augusta | 13,913 | 28 | 0 | |
| York | 13,675 | 4 | 0 | |
| Richmond | 10,091 | 68 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Bath | 9,436 | 5 | 0 | |
| Winterport | 9,137 | 65 | 23 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, HAA5 +1 more |
| Brewer | 9,109 | 4 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Gardiner | 9,000 | 39 | 0 | |
| Boothbay | 8,448 | 5 | 0 | |
| Yarmouth | 8,000 | 13 | 0 | |
| Old Town | 7,913 | 40 | 0 | |
| Presque Isle | 6,441 | 37 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Orono | 6,151 | 183 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Belfast | 5,826 | 53 | 0 | |
| Houlton | 5,023 | 89 | 0 | |
| Hampden | 4,628 | 8 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Bar Harbor | 4,548 | 48 | 3 | Barium |
| Bridgton | 4,378 | 27 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Farmington | 4,050 | 9 | 0 | |
| Rumford | 4,050 | 7 | 0 | |
| Caribou | 4,044 | 16 | 0 | |
| South Berwick | 3,975 | 27 | 11 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts |
| Surry | 3,910 | 37 | 21 | TTHM |
| North Waterboro | 3,500 | 5 | 0 | |
| Winthrop | 3,392 | 19 | 1 | Gross Alpha |
| Norway | 3,100 | 2 | 2 | Chromium |
| South Paris | 3,025 | 6 | 0 | |
| Lincoln | 3,020 | 4 | 0 | |
| Livermore Falls | 2,995 | 7 | 6 | TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Wilton | 2,800 | 15 | 0 | |
| Wiscasset | 2,768 | 118 | 70 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli +1 more |
| Searsport | 2,763 | 75 | 0 | |
| Madawaska | 2,738 | 2 | 0 | |
| Saco | 2,630 | 42 | 7 | Chlorine, Disinfection Byproducts, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Northeast Harbor | 2,488 | 49 | 0 | |
| Southwest Harbor | 2,480 | 41 | 7 | TTHM |
| Gray | 2,468 | 14 | 5 | E. coli |
| Dover-Foxcroft | 2,440 | 29 | 10 | Barium |
| Mexico | 2,425 | 0 | 0 | |
| Dexter | 2,338 | 10 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Hallowell | 2,300 | 0 | 0 | |
| Van Buren | 2,190 | 4 | 0 | |
| Damariscotta | 2,143 | 14 | 3 | Disinfection Byproducts, Fecal Coliform |
| East Millinocket | 2,133 | 4 | 0 | |
| Eastport | 2,125 | 11 | 7 | TTHM |
| Fort Fairfield | 2,025 | 6 | 2 | Chlorine, Disinfection Byproducts |
| Mechanic Falls | 2,010 | 9 | 0 | |
| Newport | 1,950 | 14 | 2 | E. coli |
| Sabattus | 1,841 | 54 | 7 | E. coli, Haloacetic Acids |
| North Berwick | 1,825 | 75 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli |
| Lubec | 1,775 | 17 | 0 | |
| Carrabassett Valley | 1,730 | 63 | 28 | Disinfection Byproducts, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Milo | 1,720 | 7 | 3 | Fecal Coliform |
| Fort Kent | 1,703 | 72 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Sangerville | 1,535 | 19 | 3 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Alfred | 1,502 | 90 | 4 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli |
| Mars Hill | 1,500 | 261 | 126 | TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Machias | 1,479 | 12 | 0 | |
| Jay | 1,475 | 40 | 18 | TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Dixfield | 1,415 | 5 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Rangeley | 1,378 | 1 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Scottsdale | 1,222 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jackman | 1,125 | 27 | 22 | TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Kingfield | 1,095 | 32 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Castine | 1,056 | 41 | 3 | E. coli |
| Norridgewock | 1,055 | 5 | 0 | |
| Howland | 1,025 | 6 | 0 | |
| Pittsfield | 1,013 | 6 | 0 | |
| Brownville | 916 | 1 | 0 | |
| Limestone | 875 | 6 | 0 | |
| Harrison | 863 | 9 | 0 | |
| Gorham | 853 | 10 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Cornish | 753 | 3 | 0 | |
| Limerick | 740 | 56 | 3 | Barium, TTHM |
| North Haven | 740 | 7 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Bowdoinham | 738 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ashland | 713 | 5 | 0 | |
| Winter Harbor | 700 | 17 | 0 | |
| Washburn | 688 | 83 | 0 | |
| Princeton | 660 | 180 | 15 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli |
| Phillips | 650 | 7 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Eagle Lake | 585 | 2 | 0 | |
| Farmington Hills | 560 | 9 | 0 | |
| West Paris | 540 | 43 | 10 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli |
| Charleston | 503 | 26 | 0 | |
| Strong | 500 | 0 | 0 | |
| Island Falls | 475 | 108 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Solon | 475 | 13 | 0 | |
| Stratton | 475 | 0 | 0 | |
| Biddeford | 470 | 2 | 0 | |
| Franklin | 443 | 20 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Buckfield | 425 | 28 | 6 | Disinfection Byproducts, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Milbridge | 405 | 41 | 0 | |
| Northbrook | 395 | 71 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Danforth | 373 | 7 | 0 | |
| Brunswick | 357 | 146 | 0 | |
| Canaan | 350 | 7 | 0 | |
| Leeds | 348 | 9 | 0 | |
| Sudbury | 341 | 36 | 15 | Barium, E. coli |
| Hermon | 340 | 181 | 8 | E. coli, Gross Alpha |
| Patten | 338 | 6 | 0 | |
| Port Clyde | 330 | 32 | 0 | |
| Great Neck | 316 | 25 | 0 | |
| Bingham | 313 | 26 | 0 | |
| Sullivan | 308 | 67 | 56 | Disinfection Byproducts, TTHM |
| Lamoine | 305 | 3 | 0 | |
| Harrington | 303 | 6 | 0 | |
| Carmel | 301 | 177 | 0 | |
| Atkinson | 300 | 8 | 0 | |
| Monson | 298 | 50 | 5 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Grand Isle | 278 | 29 | 0 | |
| Lebanon | 270 | 5 | 0 | |
| Andover | 265 | 11 | 0 | |
| Camden | 251 | 30 | 13 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts |
| Canton | 243 | 28 | 6 | Disinfection Byproducts, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Woonsocket | 241 | 31 | 6 | Disinfection Byproducts, Selenium |
| Sparta | 233 | 38 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Farmingdale | 230 | 4 | 0 | |
| Freeport | 225 | 5 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Farmington Falls | 225 | 9 | 0 | |
| Turner | 223 | 127 | 14 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) |
| Hollis Center | 216 | 2 | 0 | |
| Easton | 214 | 20 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Shapleigh | 210 | 86 | 0 | |
| Kalispell | 205 | 11 | 0 | |
| Palmyra | 193 | 8 | 1 | Selenium |
| Hancock | 191 | 71 | 41 | Barium, Disinfection Byproducts |
| San Francisco | 185 | 37 | 11 | Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate |
| Addison | 168 | 11 | 1 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Thomaston | 163 | 14 | 1 | E. coli |
| Benton | 158 | 33 | 0 | |
| Swanville | 150 | 34 | 5 | E. coli |
| Plymouth | 150 | 14 | 0 | |
| Wells | 148 | 18 | 0 | |
| Morrill | 143 | 7 | 0 | |
| Frenchville | 143 | 64 | 0 | |
| East Poland | 140 | 21 | 10 | HAA5 |
| Auburn | 135 | 18 | 1 | E. coli |
| North Ogden | 133 | 8 | 0 | |
| Embden | 130 | 5 | 0 | |
| New Gloucester | 130 | 2 | 0 | |
| Fryeburg | 123 | 69 | 0 | |
| Naples | 121 | 20 | 4 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Blue Hill | 120 | 8 | 0 | |
| Bucksport | 110 | 6 | 0 | |
| Pittston | 108 | 21 | 0 | |
| Holden | 107 | 21 | 2 | Disinfection Byproducts |
| Bristol | 105 | 10 | 0 | |
| Epsom | 105 | 7 | 5 | Barium |
| Stonington | 104 | 41 | 12 | Disinfection Byproducts, Haloacetic Acids |
| Rowley | 104 | 29 | 0 | |
| St Francis | 100 | 45 | 4 | Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli |
| Somersworth | 100 | 1 | 0 |
Water Quality in Other States
Alabama 13,972 violations Alaska 73,527 violations Arizona 60,414 violations Arkansas 17,031 violations California 39,276 violations Colorado 42,596 violations Connecticut 28,800 violations Delaware 1,242 violations District of Columbia 115 violations Florida 36,335 violations Georgia 32,159 violations Hawaii 182 violations Idaho 26,078 violations Illinois 30,544 violations Indiana 18,261 violations Iowa 9,389 violations Kansas 19,480 violations Kentucky 9,427 violations Louisiana 32,039 violations Maryland 5,321 violations Massachusetts 10,561 violations Michigan 15,820 violations Minnesota 3,784 violations Mississippi 25,296 violations Missouri 25,377 violations Montana 20,202 violations Nebraska 5,134 violations Nevada 8,167 violations New Hampshire 6,968 violations New Jersey 19,332 violations New Mexico 37,115 violations New York 93,834 violations North Carolina 54,399 violations North Dakota 8,431 violations Ohio 61,604 violations Oklahoma 128,472 violations Oregon 0 violations Pennsylvania 199,265 violations Rhode Island 0 violations South Carolina 13,045 violations South Dakota 19,565 violations Tennessee 20,607 violations Texas 263,180 violations Utah 71,655 violations Vermont 12,362 violations Virginia 15,298 violations Washington 54,459 violations West Virginia 81,622 violations Wisconsin 18,533 violations Wyoming 13,783 violations
Data Sources
Drinking water data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Only active community water systems (CWS) serving 100+ people are included.