Drinking Water Publications

If you need help interpreting well water test data, call the Maine Environmental Health Unit at 866-292-3474. Also, there is good information at their Well Water Quality Web site.

Drinking Water Contamination: Understanding the Risks, Bulletin #7023
In recent years, pollutants have contaminated a number of Maine urban and rural wells. The pollutants include: nitrate from septic systems, fertilizer and livestock wastes; pesticides from farm fields; industrial chemicals from old landfills; and gasoline from underground storage tanks. Many people no longer take their drinking water for granted. Instead of assuming tap water is safe, many homeowners are taking steps to keep water quality in check. This publication examines the risks posed by small concentrations of toxic chemicals sometimes found in drinking water.

Conserving Water at Home, Bulletin #7083 [7083 PDF version]
This bulletin is designed to help you save money, protect your health and reduce the risk of damaging your septic system and the quality of your drinking water, lake, pond or stream. Use these tips in conjunction with "Your Septic System," a water quality fact sheet.

The Hydrologic Cycle: How Water Movement Affects Water Quality, Bulletin #7104 [7104 PDF version]
To understand how contamination of groundwater and surface water occurs, it is necessary to understand the hydrologic cycle — the endless circulation of water from the ocean, atmosphere and land. Then you can understand how contaminants move with it. 

Bacteria in Water Supplies: Part 1: Problem Bacteria and How to Test for Them, Bulletin #7114 [7114 PDF version]
In this fact sheet, we explain how bacteria can get into your water supply and how to test your water for bacterial contamination (part 1). In part 2 of this series, we explain how to safely disinfect a well.  

Bacteria in Water Supplies: Part 2: How to Disinfect your Well, Bulletin #7115 [7115 PDF version]
This publication discusses how to safely disinfect a well. Included is information on disinfection methods; steps to shock chlorinate a well; trihalomethanes; and other disinfection methods.

Iron and Drinking Water
This publication discuss where iron comes from; the testing and treatment for iron problems; treatment for low and high iron levels; and treatment for iron bacteria.