After receiving your drinking water test results, you may find it helpful to go right to the “Be Well Informed Guide,” which has information and guidance for treating your well water, if necessary. You can enter your test results and get recommendations. Be sure to choose µg/l as the units, as this is how your results are reported. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services provides this resource to help well owners make sound decisions about water treatment. You will want to consult a water treatment professional if recommended.
Worth Watching:
EPA Standards for Drinking Water Contaminants
| Contaminant | Symbol | EPA Maximum Contaminant Level | *Standard Type | Common Sources of Contaminant in Drinking Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | Sb | 6 ppb | Primary | Discharge from various industries |
| Arsenic | As | 10 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and runoff from orchards |
| Barium | Ba | 2000 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Beryllium | Be | 4 ppb | Primary | Discharge from various industries |
| Cadmium | Cd | 5 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits, industrial discharge, and erosion of galvanized pipes |
| Chromium | Cr | 100 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Copper | Cu | 1300 ppb | Secondary | Erosion of natural deposits and corrosion of household plumbing systems |
| Iron | Fe | 300 ppb | Secondary | Erosion of natural deposits |
| Lead | Pb | 15 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and corrosion of household plumbing systems |
| Manganese | Mn | 50 ppb | Secondary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Nickel | Ni | Does not have maximum contaminant level set | N/A | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Selenium | Se | 50 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge |
| Thallium | Tl | 2 ppb | Primary | Industrial discharge |
| Uranium | U | 30 ppb | Primary | Erosion of natural deposits |
Helpful Information:
- PFOA/PFAS in Drinking Water
- Maine Metals Fact Sheet
- List of commercial drinking water labs in Maine
- Maine State Housing Authority well water abatement program
- Financial Support
Websites for more information:
- “Maine CDC”: Information on arsenic in drinking water by the Maine Centers for Disease Control
- “Arsenic and You”: Information on arsenic in food, water, and other sources produced by the Dartmouth Toxic Metals Superfund Research Program
- “Be Well Informed Guide” information and guidance for treating your well water by New Hampshire Department Environmental Services