Well Water Resources for Maine
Testing labs, treatment companies, state programs, and resources for private well owners.
Water Testing
For detailed testing information — labs, costs, free options, and what to test for — see our complete testing guide.
Treatment Systems & Costs
Treatment depends on what's in your water. Here's what the common options cost:
| System | Equipment Cost | Annual Maintenance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point-of-use RO (kitchen sink) | $200-$600 | $50-$150 | Treats one tap. Most cost-effective for arsenic, uranium, PFAS. Filter changes every 6-12 months. |
| Whole-house RO | $4,000-$15,000+ | Treats all water. High maintenance. Needed for extreme contamination. | |
| Adsorptive media (arsenic) | $1,500-$4,000 | $300-$800 | Whole-house arsenic removal. Media replacement every 1-3 years. Works best at pH below 7.0. |
| Granular activated carbon | $1,000-$3,000 | $200-$600 | Effective for PFAS and radon. Carbon replacement periodically. |
| Aeration (radon) | $3,000-$5,000 | $100-$300 | Most effective radon removal (95-99%). Vents radon gas outside. |
| UV disinfection | $350-$1,500 | $50-$100 | Whole-house bacteria treatment. Bulb replacement annually. |
| Water softener | $800-$2,500 | $100-$200 | Ion exchange. Addresses hardness only. Does NOT remove arsenic, PFAS, or radon. |
Always test before you buy. A salesperson who recommends a system without seeing your water test results is not working in your interest. Know what's in your water, at what concentrations, and then match the treatment to the problem.
Government Resources
- Maine CDC Drinking Water Program Free arsenic testing, well water guidance, and public health resources for private well owners. Call (207) 287-4311.
- Maine DEP — PFAS Investigation PFAS contamination investigation, sludge-site mapping, and free PFAS testing for affected areas. Call (207) 287-7688.
- Maine Geological Survey Well database, arsenic prevalence maps by town, bedrock and surficial geology maps. Essential for understanding your area's geology.
- Maine Well Database 50,000+ well records searchable by location. Find well logs for your area — depth, yield, geology.
- Maine Radon Program Part of Maine CDC. Radon information, testing resources, and mitigation guidance. Indoor air and water radon.
- EPA Private Well Resources Federal guidance for private well owners, including testing recommendations and contaminant fact sheets.
Further Reading
- USGS — Arsenic in Ground Water of New England Comprehensive study of arsenic sources, distribution, and factors affecting concentrations in New England bedrock wells.
- Maine Geological Survey — Arsenic in Maine Ground Water Town-by-town arsenic prevalence data. The most granular arsenic data available for Maine.
- Maine CDC — A Guide to Your Private Well Covers construction, maintenance, testing, and protection of private wells in Maine.