Well Water in Androscoggin County, Maine

Androscoggin County · Population ~108,000 (county) · Aquifer: Bedrock / Androscoggin River Valley

Arsenic Hotspot

Androscoggin County is one of Maine's documented arsenic hotspots. The Maine Geological Survey's town-level data shows that a significant percentage of tested wells in the county exceed the EPA's 10 µg/L standard for arsenic.

The arsenic comes from the bedrock — specifically from sulfide minerals (like arsenopyrite) that are common in the metamorphic and igneous formations underlying the county. When oxygen-poor groundwater dissolves these minerals, arsenic enters solution.

This is not something that can be seen, tasted, or smelled. It's not something that gets better with time. And it's not something that drilling deeper will fix — in fact, deeper wells often have more arsenic because the water has had longer contact with the source rock.

Manganese and Other Metals

Manganese is commonly elevated in Androscoggin County wells, often co-occurring with arsenic. At visible levels, it causes black staining. At lower levels that you can't see, it may still affect neurological development in young children.

Uranium and radon are also present in the same geological formations. If your well tests high for arsenic, consider a full panel that includes all four: arsenic, manganese, uranium, and radon.

The Testing Gap

Despite the known arsenic risk, many wells in Androscoggin County have never been tested. Maine does not require well water testing at the time of home purchase (though it's strongly recommended), and there's no ongoing monitoring requirement for private wells.

The Maine CDC's free arsenic testing program removes the cost barrier entirely. There is genuinely no reason not to test. See our testing guide.