Damariscotta, ME: 1 Health Violation — 69/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
While Damariscotta avoids ME's lowest safety tiers, a portion of its water systems have logged documented violations.
How Damariscotta Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Damariscotta Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 60% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.83 — above typical levels.
Damariscotta's Water Providers
Residential water service in Damariscotta, ME is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Damariscotta, Maine, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,249 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Damariscotta: C (69/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Damariscotta water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04543 | C | 5 | 1 | Great Salt Bay Sanitary District |
All ZIP Codes in Damariscotta
- 04543 [C] — 5 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Damariscotta Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Damariscotta's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Damariscotta Infrastructure Age
With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Damariscotta, where the median build year is 1988, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Damariscotta were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Damariscotta
In Damariscotta, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Damariscotta are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,750–$3,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% above the Maine average.
Damariscotta: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Damariscotta. 60% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Damariscotta: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Although Damariscotta's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 9 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Damariscotta has a moderate flood history with 9 FEMA claims averaging $10,656 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,700</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Damariscotta
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Damariscotta's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 60% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Damariscotta, ME