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.

• 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
• National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (PDF)

Page Index

Maine Rules
Federal Rules
Maine Drinking Water Policies
Guidance for Specific Contaminants
Additional Resources

 

Maine Rules

• State of Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water (PDF)
• State of Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) (PDF)
• Bottled Water and Bulk Water Transport Rules (PDF)
• Cross Connection Rules (PDF)
• Water Operator Rules (PDF)
• Well Drillers Rules (PDF)
• Subsurface Wastewater
• Subsurface Wastewater Disposal Rules (PDF)
• Maine Uniform Plumbing Code
• Seasonal Conversion Rules (PDF)
• Minimum Lot Size Rules (PDF)
• Rules for Appointment and Administration of Local Plumbing Inspectors (PDF)
• Site Evaluator Rules (PDF)

 

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

• Drinking Water Order Policy (PDF)
• Continuous Chlorination Disinfection System Installation Guidance (PDF)
• Setback Waiver Policy (PDF)
• Underground Storage Tank (UST) Setback Waiver Policy (PDF)
• UV Disinfection Policy (PDF)
• Emergency Bulk Water Transport Policy & Procedure (PDF)

 

Guidance for Specific Contaminants

• Arsenic
• Disinfection By-products
• Fluoride & Fluoridation
• Lead and Copper
• Legionella
• Nitrates and Nitrites
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
• Radionuclides
• 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
• Drinking Water Treatment
• Surface Water Treatment
• Violations & Enforcement

Updated 1/13/2023