Worst Infrastructure: Maine — 2026 Rankings

Out of 441 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Maine, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	441
Highest risk	59%
Median risk	39%
Average risk	39%
State	Maine

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	04109	Portland	ME	59%	High	67/100
2	03910	York Beach	ME	57%	High	35/100
3	04758	Mars Hill	ME	57%	High	51/100
4	04901	Waterville	ME	57%	High	38/100
5	04276	Rumford	ME	56%	High	65/100
6	04683	Sunset	ME	56%	High	40/100
7	04855	Port Clyde	ME	56%	High	82/100
8	04975	Shawmut	ME	56%	High	40/100
9	04102	Portland	ME	54%	High	62/100
10	04210	Auburn	ME	54%	High	49/100
11	04415	Brownville Junction	ME	54%	High	53/100
12	04649	Jonesport	ME	54%	High	59/100
13	04101	Portland	ME	53%	High	62/100
14	04227	East Dixfield	ME	53%	High	40/100
15	04289	West Paris	ME	52%	High	68/100
16	04785	Van Buren	ME	52%	High	70/100
17	04861	Thomaston	ME	52%	High	82/100
18	04071	Raymond	ME	51%	High	43/100
19	04254	Livermore Falls	ME	51%	High	50/100
20	04468	Old Town	ME	51%	High	60/100
21	04655	Machiasport	ME	51%	High	76/100
22	04750	Limestone	ME	51%	High	59/100
23	04863	Vinalhaven	ME	51%	High	58/100
24	04937	Fairfield	ME	51%	High	58/100
25	04103	Portland	ME	50%	High	62/100
26	04108	Peaks Island	ME	50%	High	45/100
27	04221	Canton	ME	50%	High	59/100
28	04239	Jay	ME	50%	High	61/100
29	04294	Wilton	ME	50%	High	69/100
30	04479	Sangerville	ME	50%	High	65/100
31	04662	Northeast Harbor	ME	50%	High	61/100
32	04681	Stonington	ME	50%	High	62/100
33	04740	Easton	ME	50%	High	63/100
34	04746	Grand Isle	ME	50%	High	69/100
35	04769	Presque Isle	ME	50%	High	60/100
36	04843	Camden	ME	50%	High	69/100
37	04988	Unity	ME	50%	High	58/100
38	04073	Sanford	ME	49%	High	64/100
39	04096	Yarmouth	ME	49%	High	52/100
40	04240	Lewiston	ME	49%	High	65/100
41	04489	Stillwater	ME	49%	High	53/100
42	04558	Pemaquid	ME	49%	High	40/100
43	04619	Calais	ME	49%	High	82/100
44	04631	Eastport	ME	49%	High	83/100
45	04730	Houlton	ME	49%	High	69/100
46	04918	Belgrade Lakes	ME	49%	High	53/100
47	04945	Jackman	ME	49%	High	65/100
48	04967	Pittsfield	ME	49%	High	57/100
49	04005	Biddeford	ME	48%	High	55/100
50	04066	Orrs Island	ME	48%	High	69/100
51	04345	Gardiner	ME	48%	High	56/100
52	04401	Bangor	ME	48%	High	52/100
53	04416	Bucksport	ME	48%	High	62/100
54	04430	East Millinocket	ME	48%	High	70/100
55	04530	Bath	ME	48%	High	76/100
56	04640	Hancock	ME	48%	High	45/100
57	04652	Lubec	ME	48%	High	77/100
58	04664	Sullivan	ME	48%	High	33/100
59	04953	Newport	ME	48%	High	65/100
60	04092	Westbrook	ME	47%	High	62/100
61	04253	Livermore	ME	47%	High	50/100
62	04344	Farmingdale	ME	47%	High	69/100
63	04412	Brewer	ME	47%	High	70/100
64	04414	Brownville	ME	47%	High	49/100
65	04421	Castine	ME	47%	High	66/100
66	04448	Howland	ME	47%	High	70/100
67	04464	Monson	ME	47%	High	51/100
68	04473	Orono	ME	47%	High	51/100
69	04666	Pembroke	ME	47%	High	78/100
70	04786	Washburn	ME	47%	High	68/100
71	04976	Skowhegan	ME	47%	High	55/100
72	04257	Mexico	ME	46%	High	60/100
73	04330	Augusta	ME	46%	High	57/100
74	04347	Hallowell	ME	46%	High	60/100
75	04572	Waldoboro	ME	46%	High	66/100
76	04575	West Boothbay Harbor	ME	46%	High	40/100
77	04677	Sorrento	ME	46%	High	33/100
78	04693	Winter Harbor	ME	46%	High	60/100
79	04745	Frenchville	ME	46%	High	60/100
80	04763	Oakfield	ME	46%	High	64/100
81	04854	Owls Head	ME	46%	High	71/100
82	04856	Rockport	ME	46%	High	75/100
83	04017	Chebeague Island	ME	45%	High	53/100
84	04019	Cliff Island	ME	45%	High	40/100
85	04220	Buckfield	ME	45%	High	46/100
86	04357	Richmond	ME	45%	High	70/100
87	04463	Milo	ME	45%	High	61/100
88	04570	Squirrel Island	ME	45%	High	53/100
89	04625	Cranberry Isles	ME	45%	High	53/100
90	04646	Islesford	ME	45%	High	53/100
91	04679	Southwest Harbor	ME	45%	High	65/100
92	04736	Caribou	ME	45%	High	69/100
93	04747	Island Falls	ME	45%	High	69/100
94	04852	Monhegan	ME	45%	High	63/100
95	04911	Anson	ME	45%	High	63/100
96	04915	Belfast	ME	45%	High	76/100
97	04922	Burnham	ME	45%	High	72/100
98	04938	Farmington	ME	45%	High	55/100
99	04961	New Portland	ME	45%	High	69/100
100	03903	Eliot	ME	44%	High	69/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.