Washington County, Maine — public water systems

How does Washington County compare with other Maine counties?

Washington County has the 8th-most active public water systems among the 17 counties listed for active Maine systems in EPA records; among the 16 with 3 or more systems, the median has 105. Its systems report 22,334 people served in total, the 13th-largest county figure in the state and 2.4% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 205 people, about 59% below the Maine average of 503. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Washington County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Washington County's active systems draw on groundwater (106, 97%), surface water (2, 1.8%) and groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 0.9%). Overall, 98% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 1.8% on surface water, compared with 96% and 3.7% across Maine. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Calais Water Dept, draws primarily on groundwater.

What kinds of water systems operate in Washington County?

Washington County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (20%), 36 non-transient non-community systems (33%) and 51 transient non-community systems (47%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (65%), local government (28%), Native American (2.8%) and federal government (2.8%).