Maine DWP Update: Proposed Public Drinking Water Rules

May 28, 2025 / Comments (0)

MWUA News

Proposed Public Drinking Water Rules Including PFAS Regulation

Public Comments and Questions Accepted thru June 20

The Maine CDC Drinking Water Program (DWP) is responsible for oversight of the Safe Drinking Water Act at Maine’s Public Water Systems.  Pursuant to SP 64 of 2021, the DWP was required to promulgate rules by June 1, 2024, to adopt PFAS regulations including Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) that are at least as stringent as the federal PFAS Rule, which was promulgated in April 2024.

The DWP has drafted new Drinking Water Rules that incorporate the current federal PFAS Rule by reference, and specifically cite the current federal PFAS MCLs in Appendix B.  Recently, the EPA has announced plans to propose a new PFAS Rule in the fall of 2025, to be enacted in the Spring of 2026.  This federal Rule, as currently proposed, would have different MCLs and a later compliance date.  However, the DWP is required to promulgate PFAS Rules prior to the new federal revisions, and is therefore providing these draft rules for public comment.

You can access the complete proposed rule and related rulemaking documents by going to the Maine DHHS website.  The DWP invites you to comment on this draft rule using the form found at that site.

Additional information can be found on the Maine CDC Rules webpage and the Secretary of State website.

Additional Provisions of the Proposed Rule

  • The Department proposes to require seasonal transient (NC) public water systems and all Community public water systems (CWS) to test for total coliform on a monthly basis, to further protect public health and alert the Department to possible bacterial contamination quicker.
  • The Department proposes to add a definition for “common scheme of development” to clarify its process to identify and regulate public water systems.
  • The Department proposes Rule formatting changes for the purpose of clarity and standardization as well as a new rule title to reflect Maine CDC rulemaking formatting convention.

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