Drinking Water Treatment

The Safe Drinking Water Act provides the rules that govern drinking water operations.  These operations are regulated in Maine by the Bureau of Health under the Drinking Water Program.

Your drinking water can come from up to 5 different sources.  Beginning on April 1, 2004, Augusta Water District's three groundwater wells, Brookside, Triangle and South began supplying water to the distribution system.  The other two sources are Cobbossee Lake, and Carleton Pond.  Use of either of these two sources requires the operation of the GF Laurin Water Filtration Plant in East Winthrop, Maine.

Your drinking water is thoroughly tested in accordance with Maine law and the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Well water is treated with sodium fluoride to provide 1.2 milligrams per liter of fluoride to all customers.  Sodium hypochlorite (the active ingredient in laundry bleach) is added to disinfect water from the wells and protect the distribution system against bacteria and viruses.  A sequestering agent is added to reduce lead and copper levels at the tap and reduce both iron and calcium levels in the distribution system.

The wells are naturally high in calcium.  Calcium hardness levels are approximately 130 milligrams per liter (130 parts per million).  While this level is perfectly safe, some customers have expressed concern about white spots on dishes or sinks.  The white spotting is just dry calcium and is not harmful.

Your drinking water is produced by class IV water treatment specialists.  Water quality is continually monitored by computerized polling systems.  Alarms are triggered if water quality characteristics fall out of allowable ranges.  Click here for the most recent water quality data.

If you have questions about your drinking water, please contact us at (207) 622-8880 x117 or via email at info@augustawater.org.