FAQs

  • The water coming out of my faucet is dirty, what do I do?

    Inquiries about dirty water are some of the most common customer calls we receive, and for good reason. It’s disconcerting when you turn on the tap expecting clear water and instead see water that is discolored or dirty. Customers often wonder why this happens, what they can do, and most of all, if the water…

  • Are there any concerns about these chemicals in wastewater?

    We do share the community’s concern over PFAS chemicals and that is why we are testing for them in the drinking water and our wastewater’s biosolids.  Much of the recent attention has focused on the land application of biosolids. Unlike drinking water, there is no EPA approved method to reliably test biosolids and no federal…

  • Are there PFAS in our drinking water?

    Our most recent testing for PFAS in drinking water occurred in March of 2024 for the Greater Portland Water System. Regulated PFAS Compound EPA Maximum Contaminant Level Test Results Meets Standard EPA Reporting Limit PFOA 4 ppt ND Yes 4 PFOS 4 ppt ND Yes 4 PFHxS 10 ppt ND Yes 3 PFNA 10 ppt…

  • How can you prevent Legionella in your building’s internal plumbing system?

    To prevent the growth of bacteria like Legionella in your plumbing, there are actions that you can take that vary in complexity depending on what type of water system you have. Although the risk is low for a healthy person to contract Legionnaires’ Disease (in the home), there are simple precautions you can take to…

  • What are common causes and sources of infection?

    Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for building or industrial processes) Hot tubs that aren’t drained after each use Decorative fountains and water features Showerheads and faucets Hot water tanks and heaters Large plumbing systems

  • Who is at risk for Legionnaires’ Disease?

    Healthy people are at low risk for Legionnaires’ disease. The likelihood of infection increases in the elderly, particularly for men. An infection is also more likely in someone with other risk factors including: people over 50 years of age, smokers and heavy drinkers, people suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease, diabetes, lung and heart…

  • How do you contract Legionnaires’ Disease?

    Legionnaires Disease is usually contracted through inhaling water droplets suspended in the air that contain the bacteria Legionella.  In natural settings, Legionella rarely causes concerns, however in man-made settings, Legionella can grow if the water system is not properly maintained. In general, people do not spread Legionnaires’ Disease to other people.

  • Is there Legionella in our water?

    The Portland Water District has recently conducted tests throughout the distribution system and found no indication of Legionella.  Chloramines, which is the secondary disinfectant used in Portland’s public water supply, is known to effectively kill bacteria. 

  • What is Legionella?

    Legionella is the bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ Disease, which has been on the rise since 2000, though the exact number of cases of the disease is difficult to know since the symptoms can be similar to the common cold. Legionnaires’Disease actually can become a serious pneumonia (lung infection).

  • Do I really need to change out my refrigerator filter every six months? It doesn’t seem to cause any issues.

    It may surprise you, but the answer is yes, if the refrigerator or any appliance has a filter, it needs to be replaced according to the manufacturer’s specifications. And here’s why.  These filters typically have carbon in them. Not only does the carbon filter out any sediment that may be present in the incoming water (this…

  • What is an autoclave and how does it sterilize bottles?

    In line with our values to protect the environment through stewardship and action, our lab reuses microbiological sample bottles from our most frequent testing program!  In fact this procedure reduces our plastic waste by over 2,000 bottles a year!  Staff thoroughly cleans bottles with soap and water and autoclaves them for sterilization.  Autoclaving prepares the…

  • Has the Portland Water District taken any steps to reduce possible lead in the water?

    Recent updates The Portland Water District’s tap water meets the Lead and Copper Rule requirements and your water is safe to drink. When public drinking water systems first began testing for lead in the early 1990s as a result of the then recently released EPA Lead and Copper Rule, many (including  PWD) found lead levels…

  • This winter and spring I have noticed a stronger chlorine taste to my water, is Portland Water District adding more chlorine?

    During the winter and spring months, PWD adds less disinfectant to the water. That’s right, less! During colder months, the water temperature is also colder, so chloramine (chlorine compound) lasts longer as water travels through the water distribution system. So, depending on where you live, you may experience a slight chlorine taste in winter and…

  • Where can I find additional information about the quality of my tap water?

    The Portland Water District publishes annually a Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) which reports the levels of all regulated contaminants detected in the drinking water. In addition, the report provides an overview of your drinking water source and its treatment; it is a good tool for making informed choices that affect your health and that of…

  • Should I use a home water filter?

    Our water meets all drinking water standards and doesn’t require additional treatment beyond what it already receives; however the choice to use a home filtration system is yours to make. Home filtration products can reduce chlorine levels and water cloudiness, which some would prefer not to taste, smell or see. In some cases, these filtration…

  • What is the Portland Water District’s position on fluoride?

    Maine law mandates that a public water system must add fluoride to the water if a majority of customers vote to do so. The customers of the Portland Water District voted to have their water fluoridated in 1996 and, as required, the District began fluoridating soon thereafter. The method we use to add fluoride, the…

  • Should I buy bottled water?

    The Portland Water District water is of excellent quality and it meets all federal drinking water standards. However, those immuno-compromised, such as people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, people undergoing organ transplants, people with AIDS/HIV or other immune system disorders, or some elderly and infants, should consult a doctor. All drinking water, including bottled water, may…

  • What is the hardness of my water?

    Hardness levels in Maine waters are generally low but can range from near zero to several hundred milligrams per liter as calcium carbonate (mg/L as CaCO3), the standard unit for hardness. The Greater Portland water source (Sebago Lake) has a hardness value of 9 and is described as soft, as you can see from the…

  • There is a blue-green stain where my water drips into my sink. What causes this?

    This stain comes from the chemical copper. Copper is present in your home plumbing and can dissolve into the drinking water. If you would like to have your water tested for copper, or lead, please contact a customer service representative at the Portland Water District.

  • Is water treated with chlorine safe to drink?

    Yes. Many tests have shown that the amount of chlorine found in treated water is safe to drink. Chlorine is needed to maintain disinfection throughout the distribution system. The potential for water contamination when chlorine is not used, outweighs any long-term concerns.