The Drinking Water Program can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for Emergency Response Assistance.
In the event of a drinking water emergency during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm), Public Water Systems should reach out to their PWS Inspector or contact the Drinking Water Program’s main line:
Main Line: (207) 287-2070 – Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
For emergencies outside of regular business hours, Drinking Water Program managers share coverage of an emergency phone line. By calling the number below, your call will be routed to a DWP manager who can assist you.
After-Hours Emergencies: (207) 557-4214 – Monday thru Friday, 5:00pm - 8:00am, 24-hours weekends and holidays
Note: This phone number is not monitored during DWP’s normal business hours.
A drinking water emergency is any event that could cause a Public Water System to produce water that may be unsafe for consumption.
Public Water Systems are required to report drinking water emergencies to the Maine Drinking Water Program within 24 hours of occurrence. It is recommended that any emergency be reported immediately so that the Drinking Water Program can provide assistance to the Public Water System.
Incident Reporting Checklist (PDF)
Emergency Numbers
Here are contact phone numbers for Maine county emergency management agencies and law enforcement offices (Sheriff).
| County | County Emergency Agency | County Sheriff Dispatch Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin | 784-0147 | 800-492-0737 |
| Aroostook | 493-4328 | 800-432-7842 |
| Cumberland | 892-6785 | 800-501-1111 |
| Franklin | 778-5892 | 800-492-0120 |
| Hancock | 667-8126 | 667-7575 |
| Kennebec | 623-8407 | 800-498-1930 |
| Knox | 594-5155 | 800-337-0565 |
| Lincoln | 882-7559 | Wiscasset: 882-7332; Damariscotta: 563-3200 |
| Oxford | 743-6336 | 800-733-1421 |
| Penobscot | 945-4750 | 945-4636 or 800-432-7911 |
| Piscataquis | 564-8660 | 800-432-7372 |
| Sagadahoc | 443-8210 | 443-8201 |
| Somerset | 474-6788 | 800-452-1933 |
| Waldo | 338-3870 | 800-660-3398 |
| Washington | 255-3931 | 800-432-7303 or 255-8308 |
| York | 324-1578 | 324-1111 |
- Drinking Water Orders
- Boil Water Order Fact Sheet for Consumers (PDF)
- Language Translations for Removing a Drinking Water Order (PDF)
- Guidance for Eating Establishments During and After a Boil Water Order (PDF)
- Guidance for Resuming Water Use Following a Do Not Drink Order (PDF)
- Current Drinking Water Safety Alerts
- Coliform bacteria and Boil Water Orders FAQ
- Drinking Water Order Policy (PDF)
- Flooding Emergencies
- Loss of Pressure/Loss of Water
- Guidance on Issuing Drinking Water Orders to Protect Public Health during an Event Resulting in Low, Zero, or Negative Water Pressure (PDF)
- Responding to Loss of Pressure Events (Small Water Systems) (PDF)
- Responding to Loss of Pressure Events (Large Water Systems) (PDF)
- Emergency Bulk Water Transport Policy & Procedure (PDF)
- Disinfecting Pipes and Tanks (PDF)
- Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Flushing Drinking Water Storage Tanks at Small Public Water Systems (PDF)
- Treatment Failure
- Hurricanes, Droughts, and Other Extreme Weather Events
- Planning
- Maine's Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network
- Wellhead Protection Plan Template for Small Water Systems (PDF)
- Instructions for Wellhead Protection Plan Template (PDF)
- Emergency Response Plan Template - Pop <3000 (PDF)
- Emergency Response Plan Template - Pop >500 (PDF)
- Incident Action Checklist - Flooding (PDF)
- Other Agencies