You have tested your well and have found a contaminant. Now what? If your well water has a problem, you can switch to bottled water right away. This gives you peace of mind and time to figure out what to do next.
- Video: Understanding Your Well Water Test Results - This short video shows you how to understand the results you get from the laboratory when you test your well water
- Tipsheet: Arsenic in Your Well Water (PDF)
- Tipsheet: Uranium in Your Well Water (PDF)
Drinking Water Guidelines
Maine CDC transitioned to using the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) drinking water standards and health advisory levels for contaminants found in well water in Maine and no longer maintains separate Maximum Exposure Guidelines (except for radon).
EPA's 2018 Drinking Water Standards and Health Advisories Tables (PDF): Information on EPA's current Maximum Contaminant Levels, Health Advisories and Drinking Water Equivalent Levels for contaminants in drinking water. Many of the EPA guidelines are the same as the previous Maximum Exposure Guidelines.
Maximum Exposure Guideline for Radon in Drinking Water (PDF): Maine CDC maintains a Maximum Exposure Guideline for radon.
Treatment
- How to disinfect or shock your well to remove bacteria (Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory)
- Visit Treatment and Treatment Modifications
- Visit MaineHousing's Well Water Abatement Program for information about grants
- How to disinfect or shock your well to remove bacteria
- If you think your well has been contaminated by a sand/salt pile (Maine Department of Environmental Protection)
How to Choose a Water Treatment Company
Treatment systems can be installed by water treatment companies, some plumbers, or by yourself. Treatment companies and plumbers should be able to explain what kind of treatment systems would work for your home.
Here are some tips to help you choose a company.
- Ask friends and neighbors who have installed treatment systems if they can recommend a treatment company or plumber.
- Get estimates from three different companies so you can compare services and costs.
- Make sure you understand what maintenance is required for each system you consider, and how much it will cost to care for your system.
- Make sure each treatment system you consider is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation.
- When you choose a company, make sure your contract states that if the water still has a problem after the treatment is installed, the company will fix the problem.
Contact Us
Call us if you don't understand any information you receive from well water treatment companies. 866-292-3474 toll-free in Maine; 207-287-4311, TTY: Call Maine Relay 711
Important: Once you have installed a system, test it right away and once a year to make sure it is working right. Follow all directions for the care of your system.