State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM29
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM7
Hard · 121–180 PPM1
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 regional evidence
43PPM
Soft
Indexed range 31–132 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 29 of 37 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 43 PPM, but the full indexed range is 31–132 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 28%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 45%
20
Low-confidence hardness profiles
6
Research-comparison eligible profiles
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 156
- Surface water
- 31
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 3
Highest medians
Highest eligible city medians
Lowest medians
Lowest eligible city medians
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 regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Anson
Somerset County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Ashland
Aroostook County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Auburn
Androscoggin County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Augusta
Kennebec County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bangor
Penobscot County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bar Harbor
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bath
Sagadahoc County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Belfast
Waldo County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Berwick
York County · 1 ZIP
43PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bethel
Oxford County · 1 ZIP
47PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Biddeford
York County · 2 ZIPs
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bingham
Somerset County · 1 ZIP
31PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Blue Hill
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bowdoinham
Sagadahoc County · 1 ZIP
88PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Brewer
Penobscot County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Bridgton
Cumberland County · 2 ZIPs
34PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Brunswick
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
34PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Bucksport
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Calais
Washington County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Camden
Knox County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Caribou
Aroostook County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
Casco
Cumberland County · 1 ZIP
36PPM regional
Single regional valueNo active flag
Castine
Hancock County · 1 ZIP
—
No regional sampleNo active flag
County comparison
Highest regional-evidence county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penobscot County | 95 PPM | 94.5–94.5 | 12 |
| Aroostook County | 85 PPM | 85.3–85.3 | 17 |
| Washington County | 76 PPM | 76.1–76.1 | 7 |
| Sagadahoc County | 75 PPM | 61.9–88 | 4 |
| York County | 43 PPM | 35.5–132 | 13 |
| Oxford County | 43 PPM | 33–50.5 | 7 |
| Androscoggin County | 43 PPM | 35.6–50.5 | 8 |
| Cumberland County | 36 PPM | 34.4–35.6 | 20 |
| Franklin County | 31 PPM | 31–31 | 5 |
| Somerset County | 31 PPM | 31–31 | 8 |
| Kennebec County | — PPM | —–— | 8 |
| Hancock County | — PPM | —–— | 6 |