Sun Hancock Heights- East
EPA ID: ME0007242 · 158 people served · 3 ZIP codes
With 11 unresolved EPA violations, Sun Hancock Heights- East is currently out of full compliance — approximately 158 people in its service area.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 1 (2021) to 4 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Sun Hancock Heights- East Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Sun Hancock Heights- East serves a community with a median household income of $67,820 and an estimated 46,869 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 37% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Sun Hancock Heights- East's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 1% of homes in Penobscot County, Maine rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Sun Hancock Heights- East compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Barium at 14 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Sun Hancock Heights- East (EPA ID: ME0007242) is a community water system in Maine that serves approximately 158 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (45/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| November 23, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Resolved |
| February 22, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Barium | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Barium | Health-based | Resolved |
| December 30, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 14 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 9 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 6 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04640 | 0.0035 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sun Hancock Heights- East (ME0007242) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sun Hancock Heights- East water safe to drink?
Sun Hancock Heights- East has recorded 14 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Sun Hancock Heights- East serve?
Sun Hancock Heights- East serves approximately 158 people across 3 ZIP codes in Maine.
Where does Sun Hancock Heights- East get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Sun Hancock Heights- East (EPA ID: ME0007242) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.