Is Maine Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Water quality data for 8 cities across Maine. Find your city below.
Water quality in Maine varies significantly from city to city. Across 8 cities we track, hardness ranges from 10 PPM in Portland to 44 PPM in Bangor, with a statewide average of 22 PPM. Most cities in Maine have relatively soft water, so a softener is generally unnecessary.
1 Maine cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Waterville (19.08 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.
Complete Maine Guide
Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.
Well Water in Maine
Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.
Hardest Water Rankings
Maine cities ranked by water hardness level.
City Comparisons
Bangor vs Portland
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Bangor vs Lewiston
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Lewiston vs Augusta
Side-by-side water quality comparison.
Maine Cities by Water Hardness
| City | Hardness (PPM) | Level | PFAS (ppt) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | 44 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Flood's Pond |
| Lewiston | 37 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Lake Auburn |
| Augusta | 20 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Carleton Pond & Kennebec wells |
| Auburn | 18 | Slightly Hard | 0 | Lake Auburn |
| Waterville | 16 | Soft | 19.08 | China Lake |
| Biddeford | 15 | Soft | 0 | Saco River |
| South Portland | 12 | Soft | 0 | Sebago Lake |
| Portland | 10 | Soft | 0 | Sebago Lake |