What data about private well water are available on the data portal?
The data portal contains several measures related to six analytes that can cause serious health effects and that are commonly found in private well water in Maine. These data are from thousands of private well water samples analyzed at the State of Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory and can be summarized by town, county, and public health district.
Analytes include:
- Arsenic
- Fluoride
- Manganese
- Nitrate
- Nitrite
- Uranium
Measures include:
- Percentage of wells that exceed Maine's maximum exposure guidelines
- Maximum, 95th percentile, and median concentration levels
You can also find the following survey data from the Maine Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
- Percentage of homes with private wells
- Percentage of homes that have tested their wells
Why track private well water quality and testing?
More than half of the homes in Maine get drinking water from private, residential wells. Many Maine wells have too much arsenic or other contaminants of concern. Private well users are responsible for testing their water and treating any hazards. The private well water data on the Maine Tracking Network can help form a better understanding of what parts of the state may be at higher risk for well water contamination. Test result data combined with survey data about homes with wells and the testing behavior of well owners helps communities encourage local well users to test their water.