Health Violations Found ME 6 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Brownville Jct Water Department

EPA ID: ME0090240 · 663 people served · 2 ZIP codes

5 open EPA findings remain on record at Brownville Jct Water Department — the utility supplies approximately 663 people.

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

D · 51
Avg Safety Score
663
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
9
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0015 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
3
Contaminants Flagged
$104K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2023) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Brownville Jct Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$47,145
Median Household Income
2,059
Service Area Population
88%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
100th
Energy Burden Percentile
81%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Brownville Jct Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $47,145 and an estimated 2,059 residents across its service area. Approximately 81% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 88% 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?

Groundwater

Brownville Jct Water Department'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Piscataquis 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

87 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
10 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 90% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Brownville Jct Water Department compares to EPA limits

Barium 5 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 2 mg/L

What This Means For You

Barium at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Maine

C 0 violations
D 11 violations
D 2 violations
D 4 violations
D 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,500
Radon Mitigation $1,200
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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Property Value Decline $5,200

5% of median home value (EPA est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,600
10 years
$15,200
20 years
$30,400

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $15,200 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

Brownville Jct Water Department (EPA ID: ME0090240) is a community water system in Maine that serves approximately 663 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (51/100)

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

Violation History

6 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 5 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 5, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Barium Health-based Unresolved
October 7, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Barium Health-based Unresolved
December 18, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
November 23, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Barium Inorganic 5 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 Yes

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
04414 0.0015 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 Filter

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

ZIP Codes Served

  • 04414 — Brownville
  • 04415 — Brownville Junction

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Brownville Jct Water Department (ME0090240) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brownville Jct Water Department water safe to drink?

Brownville Jct Water Department has recorded 6 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 Brownville Jct Water Department serve?

Brownville Jct Water Department serves approximately 663 people across 2 ZIP codes in Maine.

Where does Brownville Jct Water Department 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
3
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1
Unknown Material
325
Confirmed Non-Lead

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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 663
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 Brownville Jct Water Department safe to drink?
Brownville Jct Water Department has a D safety grade based on 9 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Brownville Jct Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Barium, Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 3 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 Brownville Jct Water Department serve?
Brownville Jct Water Department serves approximately 663 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Brownville Jct Water Department's water source?
Brownville Jct Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Brownville Jct Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0015 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Brownville Jct Water Department's service area?
The Brownville Jct Water Department service area has a median household income of $47,145. EPA EJScreen data classifies 88% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Brownville Jct Water Department get its water?
Brownville Jct Water Department'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

Brownville Jct Water Department (EPA ID: ME0090240) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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