States › Maine › Penobscot County

Penobscot County, ME Water Quality

Water quality data for 28 public water systems serving Penobscot County, Maine — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 28 water systems · 33 cities
✅
Excellent — All Systems Performing Well

Water quality across the county is outstanding with minimal violations and very low lead levels.

A

Penobscot County Earns a A

Penobscot County: 33 communities across 28 water systems. 97.0% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 2.80 ppb
  • 31 communities with a lead detection, 2 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 5 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 97.0% of communities have no open violations
2.8 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
28
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
97%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Medway
    2.80 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
  • Brewer
    2.10 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Hampden
    2.96 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Millinocket
    2.80 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Lincoln
    0.96 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Glenburn
    3.20 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    F
  • Orono
    10.00 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    C
  • Veazie
    10.00 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    C
  • Dexter
    3.80 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    B
  • Old Town
    6.30 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    B
County Lead Level — Median 2.8 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 2.8 ppb — 18.7% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
22
5 – 10 ppb
7
10 – 15 ppb
2
No Data
2

All Cities in Penobscot County

Bangor 7.45 ppb A
Orono 10.00 ppb C
Brewer 2.10 ppb A
Old Town 6.30 ppb B
Hampden 2.96 ppb A
Millinocket 2.80 ppb A
Lincoln 0.96 ppb B
Dexter 3.80 ppb B
Milford 6.30 ppb B
Newport 1.30 ppb B
East Millinocket 2.80 ppb B
Holden 3.40 ppb B
Veazie 10.00 ppb C
Bradley 6.30 ppb B
Howland 1.90 ppb B
Charleston 0.50 ppb B
Eddington 7.45 ppb A
Patten 2.40 ppb B
Corinna 1.97 ppb B
Glenburn 3.20 ppb F
Hermon 8.00 ppb B
Mattawamkeag 6.80 ppb B
Newburgh 3.70 ppb B
Kenduskeag 1.40 ppb B
Carmel 2.10 ppb B
Orrington 2.40 ppb B
Lagrange 3.60 ppb B
Levant 1.40 ppb B
Greenbush Not detected B
Corinth 2.60 ppb B
Etna Not detected B
Plymouth 1.90 ppb B
Medway 2.80 ppb B
Showing 33 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Penobscot County Drinking Water

Penobscot County is served by 28 water systems covering 33 communities. 97% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 31 recorded a detection, with a median of 2.80 ppb — 19% of the federal action level. 2 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 5 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penobscot County tap water safe to drink?▼
97% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Penobscot County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 2.80 ppb, 19% of the 15 ppb action level. 2 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Penobscot County?▼
28 community water systems serve 33 communities here.
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