Overview

The primary objective of the Kennebunk, Kennebunkport & Wells Water District is to provide its customers with the highest quality water. Compliance with federal and state regulations requires routine monitoring for chemical and microbiological contaminants. The District performs over 15,000 water quality analyses through online instruments and grab samples each year, greatly exceeding the number necessary for compliance. Water quality is examined at the source(s) of supply, throughout the treatment process and ultimately at your tap. Alkalinity, pH, iron, disinfectant concentration, disinfection byproducts, lead, copper, fluoride, and turbidity are parameters routinely monitored in the distribution system.

Contaminants

As water migrates over the surface of the land or underground naturally occurring minerals, harmful microbial agents or dissolved compounds and metals can be transported into the water supply. Human and other mammal activity is largely responsible for introduction of viral, bacterial, and protozoan pathogens in surface water. Fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides are man-made synthetic organic compounds used for controlling both desirable and undesired organisms and/or vegetation.

Water Quality References

For a complete listing of the test results of water quality analyses, see our Water Quality Report in the latest Summer issue of What's On Tap . For answers to common water quality related customer inquiries, see Frequently Asked Questions. To review a recent Newsletter article describing the level to which the District’s employees are dedicated to ensuring safe water in the distribution system, see 2004: A Year of Many Successes.