Maine Service Line Inventories

The Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) was first promulgated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1991 to reduce lead and copper in drinking water. Since that time it has undergone various revisions. The rule serves as the national standard for regulating lead and copper for public water systems. There is no safe level of lead exposure. In drinking water, the primary source of lead is from pipes, which can present a risk to the health of children and adults.

Under the Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR) published by the EPA in 2021, all public water systems must complete an inventory of the drinking water pipes (also known as service lines) connecting to the interior plumbing of buildings by October 16, 2024. The intent of developing a lead service line inventory (LSLI) is to protect public health by identifying service lines that contain, or might contain, lead as a contaminant, and to then develop a plan to replace those lines.

EPA proscribes that a public water system’s LSLI must classify each service line as either:

• Lead

• Galvanized (zinc coated iron or steel) requiring replacement

•  Lead status unknown

• Non-Lead

EPA requires that a LSLI includes a careful review of supporting information from the following categories. Not all categories may provide pertinent data for each system. Additionally, there is always some uncertainty in relying on data from multiple sources. However, all efforts have been made to assure the accuracy of the LSLI data for the systems on this site. The categories that were evaluated include:

• Previous system review/evaluation

• Construction records and building and plumbing codes

• Record of plumbing repairs

• Maps/schematics/drawings

• Any other relevant records, including on-site inspections

A single factor that may be most valuable in determining the lead status of any service line is its age. The Maine Plumbing Code of 1926 includes a lead ban for all service lines. However, records from that time may be incomplete or no longer exist, and the lines may have been repaired or replaced over the decades. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 1986 to ban the use of lead pipes in drinking water systems and in plumbing in facilities providing water for human consumption. In the absence of other data, it is assumed that stock piled materials have been utilized by 1989 and service lines installed post 1989 can be classified as “non-lead.”

The State of Maine Drinking Water Program has information about LCRR and LSLI at Maine DWP LCRR and LSLI. The EPA covers numerous topics about lead in drinking water at EPA Lead in Drinking Water.

List of Completed Service Line Inventories 

Community Systems Maps 

Determination whether the service lines non-lead materials indicated on the maps below were identified based on records review and field inspection. Some service line materials were not able to be identified through available records. Owners may either confirm composition of their water service pipes by accessing our lead map below or by contacting the their respective utility to have their service pipe tested.​  The map will be updated periodically as new information is discovered.  If you believe that your water service material is not accurate, CLICK HERE TO CORRECT.

Submit Service Line Correction

Please use this form to make any corrections to the service line database that you feel are necessary.