Division of Environmental and Community Health

COVID-19 Resources for Public Water Systems

Information for . . .

Public Water Systems
Water utilities, mobile home parks, nursing homes, schools, factories, restaurants, campgrounds, etc.

Partners
Laboratories, training providers, federal and state agencies

Consumers
Public water system customers, private well owners and users

Professionals
Water operators, well drillers, engineers & consultants, oil tank installers, treatment providers, site evaluators, researchers

What's New?

• NEW! PFAS Testing in Drinking Water: With the signing of LD 129 on June 21, 2021 by Governor Janet Mills, all community public water systems and non-transient, non-community schools and daycares are required to sample finished water for PFAS before December 31, 2022. An interim standard of 20 ppt for six PFAS chemicals (alone or in combination) is in effect. More information on PFAS and LD 129 can be found on the Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP) new PFAS webpage. The DWP will continue to update the PFAS webpage and sampling guidance as new information becomes available.
• NEW! Lead Testing in School Drinking Water: With the signing of LD 153 (An Act to Strengthen Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water), the Maine Legislature has mandated that all schools in Maine test their drinking water for the presence of lead. The Drinking Water Program has been charged with coordinating the effort, which will begin October 1st, 2021 and continue until May 31st, 2022.
• Water System Asset Security Grant: a new grant that allows qualified Public Water Systems to plan and/or implement security measures to protect water system assets. Eligible security measures may include the installation of fencing, signs, cameras, alarm systems and completing Risk & Resilience Assessments for PWSs serving under 3,300 people. Awards can be up to $5,000, with a few awards up to $10,000 depending on the scope of the project. The 2021 application period is closed, and we are not accepting new applications at this time. Please visit the DWP’s Financial Resources webpage for more information.
• Required Testing Reports are available for 2021
• Consumer Confidence Report templates for 2020 are now available. CCRs must be provided to your consumers by July 1 and you must send certification and a copy of the CCR to the DWP by October 1.
• Public Water Systems can now view a report of all 2021 compliance samples received and processed to-date by the Drinking Water Program. The reports are updated every weekday. To view samples received for the 2020 compliance year, click here.
• The 2019 report of Public Drinking Water in Maine is now available
• Drought in Maine
• No matter the size of your public water system, these materials will help take you to a place of increased cyber preparedness: Cybersecurity Tools to Understand, Evaluate, and Mitigate Risks for Maine Public Water Systems