Health Violations Found ME 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Belfast Water District

EPA ID: ME0090140 · 5,698 people served · 1 ZIP code

In the most recent EPA reporting cycle, Belfast Water District carried 1 violation still marked as unresolved — each remains active in the federal enforcement ledger while the utility continues operations for its service population of approximately 5,698 people across the area it supplies.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 76
Avg Safety Score
5,698
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
15
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00296 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
4
Contaminants Flagged
$262K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Belfast Water District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$59,083
Median Household Income
9,030
Service Area Population
25%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
60%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Belfast Water District serves a community with a median household income of $59,083 and an estimated 9,030 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.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Belfast Water District'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Waldo 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

53 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 76% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Belfast Water District compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.02 ppt, PFOS: 0.02 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

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

Similar-sized systems in Maine

D 4 violations
D 2 violations
B 0 violations
C 6 violations
C 14 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,800
PFAS Treatment $500
Radon Mitigation $400
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $15,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Belfast Water District (EPA ID: ME0090140) is a community water system in Maine that serves approximately 5,698 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 04915 in Belfast.

Average Home Safety Score: B (76/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 1 remains unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 11, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 9 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 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
04915 0.00296 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by ME or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Belfast Water District (ME0090140) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Belfast Water District water safe to drink?

Belfast Water District has recorded 2 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 Belfast Water District serve?

Belfast Water District serves approximately 5,698 people across 1 ZIP code in Maine.

Where does Belfast Water District get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
6
Latest sample
12/18/2024
Highest analyte
PFHxA: 10.7 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFHxA 10.7 ppt
PFBA 6.7 ppt
PFPeA 5.5 ppt

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
2,086
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 5,698
Reported to Maine

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Belfast Water District safe to drink?
Belfast Water District earns a B safety grade with 15 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Belfast Water District's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Belfast Water District serve?
Belfast Water District serves approximately 5,698 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Belfast Water District's water source?
Belfast Water District draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Belfast Water District's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00296 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Belfast Water District's service area?
The Belfast Water District service area has a median household income of $59,083. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Belfast Water District get its water?
Belfast Water District'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Belfast Water District (EPA ID: ME0090140) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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