• Policy Category: Drinking Water
• State: Maine
• Date Implemented: 6/21/2021

06/21/2021

Requires all community water systems and nontransient, noncommunity water systems to conduct monitoring for the level of all regulated PFAS contaminants and for additional PFAS that are listed by the US EPA by December 31, 2022. If monitoring reveals that PFAS (individually or combined) are above 20 nanogram per liter, the water system will continue to monitor on a quarterly basis until the PFAS contaminants are mitigated. The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for ensuring that water systems inform the public and adopt treatment and other measures to reduce contamination. On or before June 1, 2024, the department shall file a final rule with the Secretary of State regarding the regulation of regulated PFAS contaminants, establishing Maximum Contaminant Levels. An interim standard of 20 parts per trillion (PPT) for six PFAS (alone or in combination) is immediately in effect. 

• Action Agency(ies): Department of Health and Human Services
• Policy Champions: Alliance for a Clean and Healthy Maine , Defend Our Health
• Read the full policy language

Additional Resources

• Federal toxicologist and health advocates push for tougher limits on forever chemicals
• Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) White Paper: Processes and Considerations for Setting State PFAS Standards