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EWG's Tap Water Database — 2021 UPDATE

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Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Environmental Health, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility Details

  • Kennebunk,kennebunkport,wells, Maine
  • Serves: 34,250
  • Data available: 2013-2019*
  • Source: Surface water
  • * 2013 testing is for chemicals in EPA's Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR-3) only.

Contaminants Detected

9

EXCEED
EWG HEALTH
GUIDELINES

20 Total Contaminants

  • Legal does not necessarily equal safe. Getting a passing grade from the federal government does not mean the water meets the latest health guidelines.
  • Legal limits for contaminants in tap water have not been updated in almost 20 years.
  • The best way to ensure clean tap water is to keep pollution out of source water in the first place.

Looking for a countertop water filter?

Find out which filters earned EWG's recommendation

See the guide

Contaminants Detected

Arsenic

Potential Effect: cancer478x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY1.91 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.004 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT10 ppb
DETAILS
X

Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.

Arsenic was found at 478 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.004 ppb or less

This Utility

1.91 ppb

Legal Limit

10 ppb

National Average

0.647 ppb

State Average

0.52 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Agriculture

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Cadmium

Potential Effect: harm to the kidney3.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.130 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.04 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT5 ppb
DETAILS
X

Cadmium is a toxic metal found in food and drinking water. It has been linked to kidney toxicity, bone damage, cancer, and damage to developing fetuses.

Cadmium was found at 3.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.04 ppb or less

This Utility

0.13 ppb

Legal Limit

5 ppb

National Average

0.00352 ppb

State Average

0.00816 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for cadmium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Chlorite

Potential Effect: change in blood chemistry3.8x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY187.5 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE50 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT1,000 ppb
DETAILS
X

Chlorite is a disinfection byproduct resulting from water treatment with chlorine dioxide. Chlorite decreases hemoglobin levels and causes other hematologic effects.

Chlorite was found at 3.8 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

50 ppb or less

This Utility

187.5 ppb

Legal Limit

1,000 ppb

National Average

209.1 ppb

State Average

187.5 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 50 ppb for chlorite was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against change in blood chemistry.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Chromium (hexavalent)

Potential Effect: cancer2.8x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.0550 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.02 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Chromium (hexavalent)

more about
this contaminant

Chromium (hexavalent) is a carcinogen that commonly contaminates American drinking water. Chromium (hexavalent) in drinking water may be due to industrial pollution or natural occurrences in mineral deposits and groundwater. Read more about chromium (hexavalent).

Chromium (hexavalent) was found at 2.8 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.02 ppb or less

This Utility

0.055 ppb

National Average

0.484 ppb

State Average

0.085 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.02 ppb for chromium (hexavalent) was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)†

Potential Effect: cancer209x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY20.9 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.1 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT60 ppb
DETAILS
X

Haloacetic acids (HAA5)

more about
this contaminant

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of five haloacetic acids regulated by federal standards includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) was found at 209 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.1 ppb or less

This Utility

20.9 ppb

Legal Limit

60 ppb

National Average

17.1 ppb

State Average

16.1 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.1 ppb for the group of five haloacetic acids, or HAA5, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)†

Potential Effect: cancer210x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY12.6 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.06 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
DETAILS
X

Haloacetic acids (HAA9)

more about
this contaminant

Haloacetic acids are formed when disinfectants such as chlorine are added to tap water. The group of nine haloacetic acids includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid, which are regulated as a group by the federal government (HAA5); and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid, and tribromoacetic acid.

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) was found at 210 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.06 ppb or less

This Utility

12.6 ppb

National Average

23.7 ppb

State Average

16.8 ppb
NO LEGAL LIMIT
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2021.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 0.06 ppb for the group of nine haloacetic acids, or HAA9, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-a-million lifetime cancer risk level as . This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

Potential Effect: 6.3x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY6.25 ppt
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE1 ppt
PROPOSED LEGAL LIMIT4 ppt
DETAILS
X

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)

more about
this contaminant

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a member of a group of perfluorinated chemicals used in many consumer products. PFOS and other perfluorinated chemicals can cause serious health effects, including cancer, endocrine disruption, accelerated puberty, liver and immune system damage, and thyroid changes. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and they accumulate in people. Click here to read more about perfluorinated chemicals.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was found at 6.3 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

1 ppt or less

This Utility

6.25 ppt

Proposed Legal Limit

4 ppt

National Average

0.908 ppt

State Average

1.62 ppt
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2013-2019.
ppt = parts per trillion

Health Risks

The EWG Health Guideline of 1 ppt for PFOS was defined by EWG based on studies by Phillipe Grandjean of Harvard University and many other independent researchers who found reduced effectiveness of vaccines and adverse impacts on mammary gland development from exposure to PFOA and PFOS, the two PFAS most widely detected in drinking water. This health guideline applies to the entire class of PFAS detected in water.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Runoff & Sprawl

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

Potential Effect: cancer10x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY0.52 pCi/L
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.05 pCi/L
LEGAL LIMIT5 pCi/L
DETAILS
X

Radium, combined (-226 & -228)

more about
this contaminant

Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations.

Radium, combined (-226 & -228) was found at 10 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.05 pCi/L or less

This Utility

0.52 pCi/L

Legal Limit

5 pCi/L

National Average

0.46 pCi/L

State Average

0.7 pCi/L
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2014-2019.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter

Health Risks

EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.

Pollution Sources

Industry

Naturally Occurring

Filtering Options

Reverse Osmosis

Ion Exchange

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)†

Potential Effect: cancer135x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINE
THIS UTILITY20.3 ppb
EWG HEALTH GUIDELINE0.15 ppb
LEGAL LIMIT80 ppb
DETAILS
X

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

more about
this contaminant

Trihalomethanes are cancer-causing contaminants that form during water treatment with chlorine and other disinfectants. The total trihalomethanes group includes four chemicals: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane and bromoform.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) was found at 135 times above EWG's Health Guideline.

EWG Health Guideline

0.15 ppb or less

This Utility

20.3 ppb

Legal Limit

80 ppb

National Average

29.7 ppb

State Average

19.9 ppb
The state and national averages were calculated using the averages of the contaminant measurements for each utility in 2017-2019.
ppb = parts per billion

Health Risks

The health guideline of 0.15 parts per billion, or ppb, for the group of four trihalomethanes, or THM4/TTHM, was defined in a peer-reviewed scientific study by EWG and represents a one-in-one-million lifetime cancer risk level.

Pollution Sources

Treatment Byproducts

Filtering Options

Activated Carbon

Reverse Osmosis

Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 3) program in 2013 to 2015 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; chemicals detected under the EPA's Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 4) program in 2017 to 2020 (and subsequent testing when available), for which annual utility averages exceeded a health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority; radiological contaminants detected between 2014 and 2019.

† HAA5 is a contaminant group that includes monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid. HAA9 is a contaminant group that includes the chemicals in HAA5 and bromochloroacetic acid, bromodichloroacetic acid, chlorodibromoacetic acid and tribromoacetic acid. TTHM is a contaminant group that includes bromodichloromethane, bromoform, chloroform and dibromochloromethane.


Other Contaminants Tested


Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD compliance with legally mandated federal standards:

  • From April 2019 to March 2021, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD complied with health-based drinking water standards.

Information in this section on Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells WD comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).

LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITY

Water Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels

ContaminantActivated Carbonactivated carbonReverse Osmosisreverse osmosisIon Exchangeion exchange
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE
HEALTH GUIDELINES
Arsenic
Cadmium
Chlorite
Chromium (hexavalent)
Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
Haloacetic acids (HAA9)
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS)
Radium, combined (-226 & -228)
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
OTHER CONTAMINANTS
DETECTED
Barium
Chlorate
Chromium (total)
Fluoride
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nitrate
Nitrate & nitrite
Selenium
Strontium
Uranium, combined (pCi/L)

Take Action

Contact Your Local Official

One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.

LEARN MORE

Filter Out Contaminants

Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.

EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE