Wells, ME: 8 Violations — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Wells falls below the ME baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Wells Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Wells Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.18 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Wells
Water delivery in Wells, ME is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 6 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Wells, Maine (population ~11,544), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 36,629 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 Wells: D (45/100)
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
Wells water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04090 | D | 8 | 0 | KENNEBUNK, KENNEBUNKPORT & WELLS WD |
All ZIP Codes in Wells
- 04090 [D] — 8 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.
CDC Health Data for Wells
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Wells
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Wells's Housing Stock?
With 45% 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 story of Wells's housing stock is one of layered development — neighborhoods built in different decades, each carrying the plumbing standards of their era. The median build year of 1980 reflects that layered character. Before 1986, lead solder was standard in copper plumbing; before 1970, lead pipes were commonly used for service lines. A substantial portion of the pre-1986 homes visible in the distribution above still carry the plumbing materials of those earlier standards — creating a risk environment that the city-wide aggregate water data doesn't fully capture.
Most homes in Wells were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Wells: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Wells lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Wells are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 71% above the Maine average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Wells
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.
Older stock in Wells represents 45% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Wells
Unlike communities where NFIP data shows minimal flood history, Wells's record documents 562 claims and 100% of ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — a combination that moves flood-related water quality risk from the background into the foreground of any complete local water assessment. Flooding can overwhelm treatment capacity, contaminate wells, and trigger distribution backflow; at this level of exposure, those mechanisms have likely been activated during significant flood events.
Wells has a significant flood history with 562 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $14,721 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,400</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 Wells
- 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 Total Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Wells's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wells, ME