DHHS → MeCDC → Environmental and Community Health → Drinking Water → Public Water Systems → Rules, Regulated Contaminants, & Policies
Drinking Water Program
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Rules, Policies, and Regulated Contaminants
The Drinking Water Program is the primacy agency responsible for enforcing the federal Safe Drinking Water Act
along with Maine drinking water laws and regulations.
Page Index
Guidance for Specific Contaminants
Maine and Federal Laws
- Safe Drinking Water Act (EPA)
- Maine Water for Human Consumption Act
- Maine Legislation Regulating Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
- Maine Legislation Strengthening Testing for Lead in School Drinking Water
- Maine Lead Poisoning Control Act
- National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (PDF)
- Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act (PDF)
Maine Rules
- State of Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water (MS Word)
- State of Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) (MS Word)
- Lead Testing in School Drinking Water Rule (MS Word)
- Bulk Water Transport Rules (MS Word)
- Laboratory Accreditation Rule (MS Word)
- Cross Connection Rules (MS Word)
- Water Operator Licensing Rules (MS Word)
- Well Drillers and Pump Installers Rules (MS Word)
- Subsurface Wastewater
- Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules
- Effective September 2023, Seasonal Conversion Rules have been incorporated into the Maine Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (Section 8-B).
- Maine Uniform Plumbing Code
- Minimum Lot Size Rules (MS Word)
- Rules for Appointment and Administration of Local Plumbing Inspectors (MS Word)
- Site Evaluator Rules (MS Word)
Federal Rules
- Ground Water Rule (EPA)
- Lead and Copper Rule (EPA)
- Surface Water Treatment Rules (EPA)
- Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) (EPA)
Maine Drinking Water Policies
- Policy for Determining Classification and Overall Population of Public Water Systems DWP0008 (PDF)
- Policy Regarding Minimum Requirements for Licensed Operators at Public Water Systems DWP0021 (PDF)
- UV Disinfection Policy DWP0047 (PDF)
- Underground Storage Tank (UST) Setback Waiver Policy DWP0057 (PDF)
- Drinking Water Order Policy DWP0061 (PDF)
- Setback Waiver Policy DWP0063 (PDF)
- Policy Regarding PWS Operating Without a Licensed Operator DWP0071 (PDF)
- Policy for Estimating the Population of a Public Water System DWP0084 (PDF)
- Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System Installation Guidance DWP0120 (PDF)
- Emergency Bulk Water Transport Policy & Procedure DWP0184 (PDF)
Guidance for Specific Contaminants
- Arsenic
- Disinfection By-products
- Fluoride & Fluoridation
- Lead and Copper
- Legionella
- Nitrates and Nitrites
- PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
- Radionuclides
- Radon
- Total Coliform
Click here for a complete list of Regulated Contaminants in Drinking Water.
Additional Resources
- Guidebook for Transient Public Water Systems (PDF)
- Groundwater Rule Overview and Resources
- Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR) Overview and Resources
- Reporting
- Sampling
- Treatment
- Violations & Enforcement
- 50 Years of the Safe Drinking Water Act
Updated 8/19/2024
