Well Water in York County, Maine
York County · Population ~210,000 (county) · Aquifer: Bedrock / Coastal Surficial
York County in southern Maine is ground zero for several of the state's PFAS contamination cases. The Arundel and Kennebunk areas have been particularly affected by PFAS from sludge spread on farmland. Coastal towns also face saltwater intrusion concerns as sea levels rise and wells are drilled near the shore.
The PFAS Crisis in York County
York County has been at the center of Maine's PFAS crisis. In Arundel, a dairy farm that received treated sewage sludge for decades was found to have extremely high PFAS levels in groundwater, affecting neighboring wells. The contamination forced the farm to close and prompted widespread well testing in the area.
Similar contamination has been found near other former sludge-application sites across the county. The Maine DEP is actively investigating hundreds of sites statewide, with many in York County.
If you live near a farm or field where sludge was applied — which was common practice from the 1970s through the 2000s — get your well tested for PFAS. See our PFAS guide for the full story.
Arsenic in Bedrock
York County shares the same granitic and metamorphic bedrock geology that produces arsenic across southern Maine. The Maine Geological Survey's arsenic prevalence maps show elevated arsenic in wells throughout the county.
Arsenic is tasteless, odorless, and colorless. The Maine CDC offers free arsenic testing for all private well owners. There is no reason not to test. See our arsenic guide.
Coastal Well Challenges
Coastal towns in York County — Kittery, York, Ogunquit, Wells, Kennebunk — face additional challenges that inland communities don't:
- Saltwater intrusion — over-pumping or drought can draw saltwater into freshwater aquifers
- Shallow wells vulnerable to flooding — storm surge and coastal flooding can contaminate wells
- Seasonal population swings — tourism doubles or triples water demand in summer, stressing local aquifers
If your water has a salty taste or your well is within a mile of the coast, test for chloride and sodium levels.
What to Test For
York County well owners should test for arsenic (free through Maine CDC), PFAS (especially if near former sludge sites), radon, bacteria, nitrate, pH, and hardness. Coastal residents should add chloride and sodium.
See our testing guide for labs and programs.
Every well is different. Two wells on the same street can produce completely different water. The data on this page reflects documented conditions in the York County area, but the only way to know what's in your water is to test it.
Sources
- Maine DEP — PFAS Investigation Program
- Maine CDC — Arsenic in Drinking Water
- Maine Geological Survey — Arsenic Prevalence by Town
- USGS — Saltwater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers of New England