Maine Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Maine, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Lisbon Water Department has the highest PFAS in Maine at 13.2 ppt (3x the EPA limit). Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District has the highest lead at 42.7 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Maine
Public water systems in Maine with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lisbon Water Department | Lisbon · 6,643 served | 13.2 | 5 | 3x |
| 2 | Belfast Water District | Belfast · 5,698 served | 10.7 | 3 | 3x |
| 3 | Sanford Water District | Sanford · 14,328 served | 10.7 | 6 | 3x |
| 4 | Franklin Water Department, Me | Franklin · 443 served | 10.2 | 2 | 3x |
| 5 | Kennebec Water District | Waterville · 22,060 served | 6.5 | 3 | 2x |
| 6 | Gardiner Water District | Gardiner · 9,000 served | 4.2 | 2 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Maine
Community water systems in Maine with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District | Sangerville · 1,535 served | 42.7 | 2.8x over |
| 2 | Sugarloaf Water Association | Carrabassett Valley · 1,730 served | 39.3 | 2.6x over |
| 3 | Jackman Utility District | Jackman · 1,125 served | 32 | 2.1x over |
| 4 | Great Salt Bay Sanitary District | Damariscotta · 2,143 served | 29 | 1.9x over |
| 5 | Auburn Water District | Lisbon · 17,245 served | 23.4 | 1.6x over |
| 6 | Gardiner Water District | Gardiner · 9,000 served | 17.2 | 1.1x over |
| 7 | Farmington Village Corp Water Dept | Farmington · 4,050 served | 15 | within |
| 8 | Bath Water District | Bath · 9,290 served | 14.2 | within |
| 9 | Lewiston Water & Sewer Division | Lewiston · 23,720 served | 13.5 | within |
| 10 | Wilton Water Department | Wilton · 2,800 served | 13 | within |
| 11 | York Water District | York · 13,675 served | 13 | within |
| 12 | Livermore Falls Water District | Livermore Falls · 2,995 served | 12.3 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Maine
Community water systems in Maine with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mars Hill And Blaine Water Company | Mars Hill · 1,500 served | 47 |
| 2 | Sugarloaf Water Association | Carrabassett Valley · 1,730 served | 10 |
| 3 | Vinalhaven Water District | Poland · 1,053 served | 9 |
| 4 | Passamaquoddy Water District | Eastport · 2,125 served | 7 |
| 5 | Southwest Harbor Water & Sewer District | Southwest Harbor · 2,480 served | 7 |
| 6 | Berwick Water Department | Saco · 2,845 served | 5 |
| 7 | Ellsworth Water Department | Ellsworth · 3,910 served | 5 |
| 8 | South Berwick Water District | South Berwick · 3,722 served | 5 |
| 9 | Jackman Utility District | Jackman · 1,125 served | 5 |
| 10 | Pittsfield Water Dept | Winterport · 3,228 served | 3 |
| 11 | Auburn Water District | Lisbon · 17,245 served | 2 |
| 12 | Livermore Falls Water District | Livermore Falls · 2,995 served | 2 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Maine?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Lisbon Water Department in Lisbon had the highest recorded PFAS level in Maine at 13.2 ppt - about 3x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Maine water system has the highest lead levels?
Guilford-Sangerville Utilities District in Sangerville had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Maine under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 42.7 ppb - 2.8x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Maine water system has the most EPA violations?
Mars Hill And Blaine Water Company in Mars Hill has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Maine, with 47 violations.
Where does the Maine water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Maine Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Maine water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.