Augusta, Maine — the state capital with about 19,000 residents — sits along the Kennebec River, a waterway with one of the most dramatic environmental transformation stories in America. A generation ago, the Kennebec was essentially an open sewer, fouled by paper mill discharges and untreated municipal waste. Today, it’s one of New England’s ecological success stories.
But success doesn’t mean the problems are gone.
The Kennebec’s Remarkable Recovery
Through the mid-20th century, the Kennebec River was among the most polluted rivers in the Northeast. Paper mills — the backbone of Maine’s economy — dumped waste directly into the river. Municipal sewage went in untreated. The river was so contaminated that people avoided it.
The Clean Water Act, combined with mill closures and treatment upgrades, transformed the Kennebec:
- Fish returned, including Atlantic salmon for the first time in generations
- Recreational use resumed
- The 1999 removal of Edwards Dam in Augusta (the first major dam removal in the U.S.) restored river access for migratory fish
But the legacy contamination remains in river sediments — PCBs, dioxin, heavy metals, and other industrial pollutants deposited over decades of uncontrolled discharge. These sediments are slowly being buried by cleaner material, but any disturbance (floods, dredging, construction) can re-mobilize historic contamination.
Maine’s PFAS Biosolids Crisis
Maine’s PFAS contamination story is nationally significant — and it directly affects Augusta and surrounding communities. The state became ground zero for the PFAS-in-biosolids crisis when testing revealed widespread PFAS contamination on farms that had applied municipal sewage sludge (biosolids) as fertilizer.
The scope of the crisis:
- Maine banned land application of biosolids in 2022 after discovering that farms across the state had PFAS-contaminated soil from decades of sludge application
- Dairy farms shut down — Several Maine dairy farms were forced to stop selling milk after PFAS was found in their products, traced to contaminated soil and water
- Groundwater contamination — PFAS from biosolids has leached through soil into groundwater on affected farms and surrounding properties
- Statewide testing — Maine has the most aggressive PFAS testing program of any state, with widespread well testing and farm soil sampling
The Kennebec Valley, including the Augusta area, has agricultural land that received biosolids over the years. Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection has been mapping affected sites and providing alternative water to well owners with PFAS contamination.
Augusta’s Municipal Water System
The Greater Augusta Utility District draws drinking water from the Kennebec River (with supplemental sources) and treats it at a modern water treatment plant. The treatment process includes:
- Conventional coagulation and filtration
- Ozone treatment for primary disinfection
- Granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration — which provides PFAS removal
- Chloramine for distribution residual
The GAC filtration is significant — it’s one of the most effective technologies for PFAS removal and positions Augusta’s treatment system better than many municipalities as PFAS regulations tighten.
According to the most recent Consumer Confidence Report, Augusta’s treated water meets all EPA and Maine state standards, including Maine’s strict 20 ppt PFAS MCL for the sum of six compounds.
Naturally Occurring Contaminants
Like much of New England, Augusta’s geology produces natural contaminants in groundwater:
- Arsenic — Common in Maine’s bedrock, particularly in areas with sulfide mineral deposits. Private wells in the Augusta area can have elevated arsenic.
- Radon — Maine has significant waterborne radon, particularly in wells drilled into granite or metamorphic bedrock
- Manganese — Naturally elevated in some Maine groundwater, causing aesthetic issues (staining, taste) and potential health effects at high concentrations
These are primarily private well concerns — Augusta’s treatment system addresses them for municipal customers.
What the Data Shows
From Greater Augusta Utility District’s most recent CCR:
- All regulated contaminants within EPA and Maine state limits
- PFAS below Maine’s 20 ppt MCL
- Disinfection byproducts within limits
- Lead at 90th percentile below action level
- No SDWA violations
What Augusta Residents Should Do
- Private well owners — Test for PFAS, arsenic, radon, and bacteria. Maine’s strict standards mean results are evaluated more conservatively than in most states.
- Near former agricultural land — If your property is near farmland that may have received biosolids, PFAS testing is especially important. Maine DEP maintains a map of known sites.
- Municipal customers — Augusta’s GAC treatment provides above-average PFAS protection. Review the CCR annually and note any changes.
- Support river protection — The Kennebec’s recovery is a remarkable achievement, but continued vigilance is needed to protect it. Participate in local watershed protection efforts.
- Arsenic and radon — If you’re on a private well, don’t ignore these naturally occurring contaminants. Both have effective treatment options (reverse osmosis for arsenic, aeration for radon).
Augusta’s water story is one of recovery — from one of the most polluted rivers in America to a healthy, productive waterway. The PFAS crisis is a reminder that new contamination threats can emerge even as old ones are resolved.
If you’re concerned about your water quality, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and recommend solutions for your specific situation.