Maine

Maine adopts tougher limits on PFAS in drinking water

Published

3 months ago

January 12, 2026

Maine adopts tougher limits on PFAS in drinking water

The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the state limit on forever chemicals, or PFAS, in drinking water to align with rigorous federal standards established by the Biden administration.

The change reduces the maximum amount of the two most harmful forever chemicals to four parts per trillion (ppt) — roughly four drops in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools — and no more than 10 ppt, for three others combined.

The new rule, adopted in December, will be rolled out in phases, from monitoring by 2027 to initial enforcement in 2028. When in full effect, Maine’s 1,900 public drinking water systems could face fines of up to $2,000 per day for exceeding the maximum contaminant limits.

“The (Department of Health and Human Services) has determined that these new requirements are necessary to protect public health,” it wrote in a rule summary. “The department will work with stakeholders to provide technical assistance and guidance where needed.”

Maine’s old limit was 20 ppt for the combined sum of six forever chemicals. The two most harmful, PFOA and PFOS, are now capped at four ppt each, which is a sharp decrease because they account for the bulk of most forever chemical readings in Maine.

Systems have until April 2029 to comply, which could require treating water, drilling new wells or hooking up to a clean water supply. Until then, Maine will use its 20 ppt limit to “cover the gap,” said DHHS spokeswoman Lindsay Hammes.

Forever chemicals have been used since the 1940s in consumer products and industry, including in nonstick pans, food packaging and firefighting foam. Even trace amounts are deemed harmful, linked to a host of health problems that range from immune deficiency to certain cancers.

State public health officials estimate it could cost $50 million to bring Maine’s public drinking water systems into full compliance with the new standard. The state plans to tap the federal safe drinking water revolving loan fund to cover those costs.

Maintaining each system could cost between $1,000 to $100,000 a year, public health officials predict.

An analysis of state data from 2023 by Defend Our Health, a Portland environmental nonprofit, determined that one in 10 Mainers — roughly 134,035 people — drinks from a public water supply that exceeds the limit Maine just adopted, including in Augusta, Sanford and Waterville.

The group’s data showed that more than 14,000 students and staff at 60 Maine schools, day cares, and colleges are drinking water that was below Maine’s old limit but are above its new limit, like Lake Region High School in Naples or Marshwood Middle School in Eliot.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency adopted its protective PFAS limits in April 2024. It said the limit would prevent thousands of premature deaths, serious adult illnesses, and immune and developmental impacts to children.

Private well owners remain responsible for ensuring their water is safe to drink. The quality and safety of private domestic wells are not regulated by the federal government, nor by most state laws. About half of Maine’s residents gets their drinking water from a private well.

Two of the four forever chemicals that had been regulated under the old state rule, PFDA and PFHpA, will not be regulated under the new rule. They are used in food packaging and stain-resistant coatings on rugs and furniture.

Advocates wanted these to count toward the new state limit, but officials say it’s not necessary; they only occur when there is too much PFOA or PFOS anyway. The state will still require the systems to monitor for these chemicals even though they won’t count toward the cap.

The new rule will also require Maine water systems to regulate two new forever chemicals: GenX and PFBS. These chemicals were created to replace PFOA and PFOS but have been found to pose similar health concerns.

Previously, the EPA had advised but not required a drinking water limit of 70 ppt. Many of Maine’s other PFAS advisory levels for milk, eggs, beef, crops, hay, fish or game are based on this old advisory.

State officials said they will use the new EPA standard, and the science supporting it, to inform Maine’s PFAS standards in other substances, but said it would happen over time, and that no one should expect Maine’s milk, beef and fish consumption advisories to change soon.

Maine has identified more than 600 residential wells near former sludge fields, military bases and industrial sites that test above Maine’s old PFAS limit, and that amount is likely to double under the new standard.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection could not be reached for an interview about how the new limit will be used when deciding who among those living on sludge-impacted land will have their water remediation costs covered by the state.

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Maine

This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!

Published

2 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

This Maine Restaurant’s Lobster Roll Is 3 Feet Long… Yes, Really!

This iconic spot is a “road-trip-worthy” Maine destination, but can you handle their newest addition?

Spring has sprung, which means plenty of people will take a well-deserved break from the daily grind and hit the open road. If you’re heading out to explore some cool Maine traditions—and you love lobster rolls—we’ve found the perfect stop.

The Taste of Maine restaurant has been serving up delicious seafood since 1978. They’re famous for a few things: a giant inflatable lobster that covers about 75% of the roof, and their claim to fame—the “World’s Largest Lobster Roll.”

These legendary lobster rolls are 22 inches long, and over the years, many customers have taken on the dare of finishing one. If you succeed, you earn membership in the “Clean Plate Club”—no easy feat given the size of this lobster roll.

But this year, Taste of Maine has gone even bigger. Introducing the “Monster” Lobster Roll: 3 feet long, packed with 2½ pounds of fresh Maine lobster meat—tail, claw, and knuckle—all on a 6-inch roll. This colossal creation carries a price tag of $259.99.

Read More: Maine Amusement Park Reveals New Family Attraction For 2026

Located at 161 Main Street in Woolwich, Maine, Taste of Maine is now open for its 48th season.

One of the best things about Taste of Maine is watching people take on these enormous lobster rolls. Guests love filming themselves attempting to finish them, including a Guinness World Records titleholder for “World’s Largest Mouth Gape.”

Spring Hours:

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 11:30 AM – 8:00 PM

To see just how long Taste of Maine has been a local favorite, check out this classic TV commercial from the 1980s!

New Arcade in Brewer, Maine Opens This Month

Game on, Brewer! The arcade of your dreams is almost here. Get ready to press start!

Gallery Credit: Arlen Jameson

12 New Restaurants That Opened in Maine in February 2026

Gallery Credit: Sean McKenna

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Maine

Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare

Published

14 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Maine lawmakers should prioritize childcare

LettersToTheEditor-640×400

To the Editor;

Access to affordable child care plays a direct role in whether Maine families can work, pursue education, and maintain stability. The Child Care Affordability Program helps keep child care costs within reach for working families.

To the Editor;

At Penquis, we serve 270 children from 266 families across dozens of communities through our child development programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, and child care. We see firsthand how access to child care determines whether parents can work, pursue education and build long-term stability for their families, particularly in communities facing workforce shortages and rising cost of living.

Child care availability alone is not enough. We can have programs and facilities in place, but if care is not affordable, it remains out of reach for families who are already struggling.

Without it, the cost of child care places an unsustainable burden on Maine families, consuming as much as 29% to 39% of income for single-parent households and 10% to 13% for two-parent families. CCAP is one of the few tools that effectively addresses this challenge by ensuring child care costs are affordable, capping costs at 7% of income for those with the lowest incomes, and expanding access for many more families.

Investing in CCAP supports children’s healthy development, enables parents to participate in the workforce, and strengthens Maine’s economy. We urge state leaders to prioritize this $15 million investment in the supplemental budget and ensure that affordable child care is accessible to the families who need it most.

Kara Hay
president and chief executive officer

Penquis

Bangor

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Maine

Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Wife dead, husband in serious condition after fire at Maine home

A woman is dead, and her husband is in serious condition after a fire broke out at their home in Readfield, Maine, Friday night.

The Maine State Fire Marshal’s Office tells NBC10 Boston affiliate News Center Maine that the Readfield Fire Department responded to the house on Plains Road around 9:51 p.m. and found a large fire.

Jerrold Wentworth, 74, had escaped from a second-floor window and told crews that his wife was still on the second floor of the home, officials said, but firefighters were unable to go inside to rescue 75-year-old Carolyn Wentworth due to the fiery conditions.

A photo shared by the fire marshal’s office shows the fire destroyed the home.

Carolyn Wentworth’s body was found in the debris around 1:45 a.m. Saturday, near where she had been sleeping, fire officials tell News Center Maine. An autopsy will be conducted to determine her cause of death.

Jerrold Wentworth was taken to Maine General Medical Center where he’s in serious condition, officials added.

Investigators from the state fire marshal’s office responded to the scene and are working to determine the cause of the deadly fire.

An investigation remains ongoing.

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