State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM75
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM47
Hard · 121–180 PPM0
Very hard · 181+ PPM0
State water index
Maine water hardness
Search 119 indexed communities and 131 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
39PPM
Soft
Indexed range 3.2–94.5 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 131
- Cities
- 119
- Matched utilities
- 190
- Counties
- 16
Understanding Maine
Why local comparisons matter here
Maine communities use lakes and reservoirs, sand-and-gravel aquifers, and fractured crystalline bedrock wells across a largely rural state.
In this index, soft is the largest category, covering 75 of 122 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 39 PPM, but the full indexed range is 3.2–94.5 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 93%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 45%
87
Low-confidence hardness profiles
84
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 156
- Surface water
- 31
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 3
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Bar Harbor95 PPM
- 2. Blue Hill95 PPM
- 3. Jonesport95 PPM
- 4. Milbridge95 PPM
- 5. Winter Harbor95 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Wiscasset3 PPM
- 2. Wilton3 PPM
- 3. Waterville3 PPM
- 4. Skowhegan3 PPM
- 5. Oakland3 PPM
City directory
Explore Maine by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
119 cities · 131 ZIP profiles
119 cities found
Page 1 of 5
Alfred
York County · 1 ZIP
43PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Anson
Somerset County · 1 ZIP
3PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Ashland
Aroostook County · 1 ZIP
76PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Auburn
Androscoggin County · 1 ZIP
3PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Augusta
Kennebec County · 1 ZIP
36PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bangor
Penobscot County · 1 ZIP
76PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bar Harbor
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
95PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bath
Sagadahoc County · 1 ZIP
3PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belfast
Waldo County · 1 ZIP
62PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Berwick
York County · 1 ZIP
50PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bethel
Oxford County · 1 ZIP
36PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Biddeford
York County · 2 ZIPs
76PPM
Range 74–77.6No active flag
Bingham
Somerset County · 1 ZIP
51PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Blue Hill
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
95PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowdoinham
Sagadahoc County · 1 ZIP
36PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brewer
Penobscot County · 1 ZIP
76PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bridgton
Cumberland County · 2 ZIPs
38PPM
Range 36.8–39.2No active flag
Brunswick
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
36PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bucksport
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
63PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Calais
Washington County · 1 ZIP
85PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Camden
Knox County · 1 ZIP
36PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Caribou
Aroostook County · 1 ZIP
—
No hardness estimateNo active flag
Casco
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
37PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Castine
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
63PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hancock County | 90 PPM | 62.8–94.5 | 6 |
| Washington County | 85 PPM | 76.1–94.5 | 7 |
| Aroostook County | 81 PPM | 76.1–85.3 | 17 |
| Penobscot County | 76 PPM | 62.8–85.3 | 12 |
| Piscataquis County | 76 PPM | 62.8–85.3 | 5 |
| Waldo County | 62 PPM | 35.6–62.8 | 4 |
| York County | 50 PPM | 41.6–78.3 | 13 |
| Sagadahoc County | 36 PPM | 3.2–35.7 | 4 |
| Oxford County | 36 PPM | 35.5–39.2 | 7 |
| Androscoggin County | 36 PPM | 3.2–36 | 8 |
| Franklin County | 36 PPM | 3.2–43.1 | 5 |
| Kennebec County | 36 PPM | 3.2–35.6 | 8 |