Mount Desert, ME: 10 Violations — 57/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Mount Desert, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for ME.
How Mount Desert Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Mount Desert Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 10 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0025 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.24 — above typical levels.
Mount Desert's Water Providers
2 water systems are tracked federally in Mount Desert, ME. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mount Desert, Maine (population ~1,124), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,488 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mount Desert: C (57/100)
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
Mount Desert water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0025 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1011 | Other | 12 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04660 | C | 10 | 0 | Mount Desert Water District North |
All ZIP Codes in Mount Desert
- 04660 [C] — 10 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.
Mount Desert 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 Mount Desert's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Mount Desert Infrastructure Age
With 59% 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
Reading the housing age data for Mount Desert — median build year 1970 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Mount Desert 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 Mount Desert
In Mount Desert, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Mount Desert are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 83% above the Maine average.
Mount Desert: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 59% of the Mount Desert inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Mount Desert
- 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 Contaminant 1011 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Mount Desert's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mount Desert, ME