York County Shelters
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services - Division of Environmental Health, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2021 - March 2021), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility Details
- Alfred, Maine
- Serves: 100
- Data available: 2014-2019
- Source: Groundwater
Contaminants Detected
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See the guideContaminants Detected
Arsenic
Potential Effect: cancer625x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINEArsenic
more aboutthis contaminant
Arsenic is a potent carcinogen and common contaminant in drinking water. Arsenic causes thousands of cases of cancer each year in the U.S. Click here to read more about arsenic.
Arsenic was found at 625 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.004 ppb for arsenic was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against cancer.
Pollution Sources
Agriculture
Industry
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Cadmium
Potential Effect: harm to the kidney38x EWG'S HEALTH GUIDELINECadmium
more aboutthis contaminant
Cadmium is a toxic metal found in food and drinking water. It has been linked to kidney toxicity, bone damage, cancer, and damage to developing fetuses.
Cadmium was found at 38 times above EWG's Health Guideline.
EWG Health Guideline
This Utility
Legal Limit
National Average
State Average
ppb = parts per billion
Health Risks
The EWG Health Guideline of 0.04 ppb for cadmium was defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal, the level of a drinking water contaminant that does not pose a significant health risk. This health guideline protects against harm to internal organs.
Pollution Sources
Industry
Runoff & Sprawl
Naturally Occurring
Filtering Options
Activated Carbon
Reverse Osmosis
Ion Exchange
Includes chemicals detected in 2017-2019 for which annual utility averages exceeded an EWG-selected health guideline established by a federal or state public health authority.
Other Contaminants Tested
✕York County Shelters compliance with legally mandated federal standards:
- From April 2019 to March 2021, York County Shelters complied with health-based drinking water standards.
Information in this section on York County Shelters comes from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database (ECHO).
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS UTILITYWater Filters That Can Reduce Contaminant Levels
Contaminant | Activated Carbon | Reverse Osmosis | Ion Exchange |
CONTAMINANTS ABOVE HEALTH GUIDELINES | |||
Arsenic | ✔ | ✔ | |
Cadmium | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
OTHER CONTAMINANTS DETECTED | |||
Barium | ✔ | ✔ | |
Chromium (total) | ✔ | ✔ | |
Fluoride | ✔ | ||
Manganese | ✔ | ||
Uranium, combined (pCi/L) | ✔ | ✔ |
Take Action
Contact Your Local Official
One of the best ways to push for cleaner water is to hold accountable the elected officials who have a say in water quality – from city hall and the state legislature to Congress all the way to the Oval Office – by asking questions and demanding answers.
LEARN MOREFilter Out Contaminants
Check out our recommendations for filters to protect your water against the detected contaminants.
EWG’S WATER FILTER GUIDE