Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 04862 Water Quality & Testing Report

Union, ME · Knox County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 04862 (Union, ME)?

Yes, tap water in ZIP code 04862 (Union, ME) is safe to drink under EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Supplied by Maine Water Company Union Division, the area earns an EPA Safety Grade of B (82/100) with 1 health violations, 0.5 ppb lead, and moderately hard (80 mg/L / 4.7 GPG) water.

Safety Score

Water Safety Grade

Good — Minor issues on record

Health Violations

Total Violations

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 0 unresolved violation. Contact Maine Water Company Union Division for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 04862

Tap water in ZIP code 04862 (Union, ME) is distributed by Maine Water Company Union Division (EPA ID: ME0091537), serving approximately 238 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of B with a composite quality score of 82/100.

Water System

Maine Water Company Union Division

EPA ID: ME0091537

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

238 residents

County

Knox County County, Maine

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Lead Levels in ZIP 04862

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

Lead Level: 0.5 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 04862 is 0.5 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 04862 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 42% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)

0.50 ppb (0.0005 mg/L)

Lead Exposure Risk Rating

Moderate

Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

42%

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 · 80 mg/L

Water in ZIP 04862 is Moderately Hard (80 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

80 mg/L

Appliance Scaling Risk

Low / Moderate

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Maine Water Company Union Division · PWSID: ME0091537

Verify on EPA.gov

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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Maine Water Company Union Division has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 3 total violations over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)

Health-Based Violations

Unresolved Violations

Boil Water Advisories

Compliance Risk

High

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

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Stage 1 DBP Rule.

Stage 1 DBP Rule

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 9 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

Moderate potential

Zone 2

Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

Energy Burden

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

4.46%

EPA Radon Zone 2 — moderate radon potential. The EPA recommends testing your home regardless of zone designation.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 04862

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 04862 served by Maine Water Company Union Division 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 04862 Recommendations

✓

Your water quality is good

Your water meets all EPA health standards. Standard precautions are sufficient for most residents.

✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Maine Water Company Union Division
✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Recommended Taste & Safety Filter:

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NSF/ANSI 53 Certified Pitcher Filter

Best for removing aesthetic chlorine, odors, and low-level heavy metals.

Filter Selection Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 04862 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 04862?+

Yes — tap water in 04862 (Union, ME) meets EPA standards with a water safety grade of B. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years.

How do I get my water tested in ZIP 04862 (Union, ME)?+

To test water quality in ZIP 04862, 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 04862?+

Tap water in 04862 is classified as Moderately Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 80 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 04862?+

Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 04862 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 04862 tap water?+

The 90th percentile lead level in 04862 is 0.5 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.

Is there an active boil water notice in 04862?+

There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 04862. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.

Who provides tap water to 04862?+

Tap water in ZIP code 04862 is provided by Maine Water Company Union Division (EPA ID: ME0091537), serving approximately 238 residents.

What water filter should I use in 04862?+

Based on water metrics for 04862, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 04862 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 Maine Water Company Union Division. 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 →