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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 04473 Water Quality & Testing Report

Orono, ME · Penobscot County County · Updated for 2026

Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 04473 (Orono, ME)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 04473 (Orono, ME) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (51/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 10.0 ppb lead. While treated by Orono-veazie Water District, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

4

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 0 unresolved violation. Contact Orono-veazie Water District for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 04473

Tap water in ZIP code 04473 (Orono, ME) is distributed by Orono-veazie Water District (EPA ID: ME0091210), serving approximately 5,793 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 51/100.

Water System

Orono-veazie Water District

EPA ID: ME0091210

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

5,793 residents

County

Penobscot County County, Maine

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Lead Levels in ZIP 04473

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 10.0 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 04473 is 10.0 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead exposure risk in 04473 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 65% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
10.00 ppb (0.01 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

65%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Moderately Hard4.7 GPG · 81 mg/L

Water in ZIP 04473 is Moderately Hard (81 mg/L / 4.7 GPG). It contains beneficial natural minerals like calcium and magnesium without causing heavy scale accumulation.

Recommendation: A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

4.7 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

81 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Orono-veazie Water District · PWSID: ME0091210

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Orono-veazie Water District has recorded 4 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions).

Total Violations (5 yr)
4
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Moderate based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 04473 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

5.42%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 04473

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 04473 served by Orono-veazie Water District can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in ME for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 04473 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Orono-veazie Water District to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 04473 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 04473?+
Tap water in 04473 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 04473 (Orono, ME)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 04473, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in ME. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 04473?+
Tap water in 04473 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 81 mg/L (4.7 GPG). A water softener is optional. Regular maintenance of hot water appliances is recommended.
Should I test private well water in 04473?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 04473 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 04473 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 04473 is 10.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 04473?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 04473. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 04473?+
Tap water in ZIP code 04473 is provided by Orono-veazie Water District (EPA ID: ME0091210), serving approximately 5,793 residents.
What water filter should I use in 04473?+
Based on water metrics for 04473, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 04473 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Orono-veazie Water District. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →