Violations & Enforcement
Violations
Violations are issued when a public water system does not meet all of the requirements mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act or the Maine Rules Related to Drinking Water.
Treatment & Treatment Modifications
Treatment systems are mechanical and/or chemical processes that remove contaminants from water, ensuring it is safe for consumption. Treatment systems are an important part of delivering safe drinking water for many public water systems throughout the state. However, treatment only works when the proper chemicals are used in the right amounts, and treatment is maintained and monitored. Failure to regularly and effectively maintain and monitor your treatment system puts the health of your customers at risk.
Changes to Public Water Systems
Before modifications are made to any existing public water system in a manner which may affect the quality of water produced, that system must submit an application detailing the proposed changes to the Drinking Water Program for approval.
New Well and New Source Approval
Before construction of a new public water source is initiated, proposed plans must be submitted to the DWP for approval. (22 M.R.S. §2612)
Step 1: Preliminary Approval
Before a new well is drilled, the selected site must be approved by the Drinking Water Program. The State of Maine Rules Relating to Drinking Water establishes a set-back for all wells of at least 300 feet from any potential sources of contamination (such as fuel tanks and leach fields). If site conditions so require, a waiver of this setback requirement may be requested.
PFAS in Public Water Systems
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals that have been widely used since the 1940s in consumer products and industrial applications. Due to their widespread use and persistence in the environment, most people in the United States have been exposed to some level of PFAS. There is evidence to suggest that continued exposure above specific levels to certain PFAS may lead to adverse health effects.
Lead & Copper Rule Revisions
The Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) represent the first major update to the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in nearly 30 years. “EPA’s new rule strengthens every aspect of the LCR to better protect children and communities from the risks of lead exposure. The new LCR will better protect children at elementary schools and childcare facilities, get the lead out of our nation’s drinking water, and empower communities through information.” – US Environmental Protection Agency
Disinfection Byproduct Rule
Disinfection by-products (DBPs), also called trihalomethanes, are formed when chlorine and bromine interact with natural organic materials in water, such as in chlorinated drinking water. To protect drinking water from disease-causing organisms, or pathogens, water suppliers often add a disinfectant, such as chlorine, to drinking water. However, disinfection practices can be complicated because certain microbial pathogens are highly resistant to traditional disinfection practices.
Surface Water Treatment Rule
The Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) seeks to prevent waterborne diseases caused by viruses, Legionella, and Giardia lamblia. These disease-causing microbes are present at varying concentrations in most surface waters. The rule requires that water systems filter and disinfect water from surface water sources to reduce the occurrence of unsafe levels of these microbes.
If a public water system uses a lake, river, stream or pond as its water source, then it is regulated by the Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Radionuclides Rule
A radionuclide is an atom with an unstable nucleus which, to become more stable, emits energy in the form of rays or high-speed particles. This is called ionizing radiation because it can create "ions" by displacing electrons in the body (e.g., in the DNA), disrupting its function. The three major types of ionizing radiation are: alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays.