Why is radon in water testing especially critical for Maine wells?

Maine has among the highest residential radon-in-water concentrations in the nation due to extensive uranium-bearing granites and pegmatites. The Maine CDC recommends water treatment if radon exceeds 4,000 pCi/L. Waterborne radon off-gasses into indoor air during showering and washing, contributing significantly to indoor air radon levels. Ogden Wells installs Air-Cycle diffuse bubble aeration systems that remove 95% to 99% of radon before water enters the home.

What are typical well drilling depths in Southern Maine?

In York and Cumberland counties, residential bedrock wells typically range from 200 to 500 feet deep into ancient metamorphic and igneous rock. Casing requirements require driving 6-inch steel casing firmly into solid ledge with a hardened drive shoe to isolate overburden groundwater. In coastal areas, hydrogeological evaluation is performed to prevent over-drilling into tidal saltwater interfaces.

What permits are required to drill a well in Maine?

Well drillers and pump installers must hold an active license with the Maine Drinking Water Program (DWP). State law requires submission of a Well Completion Report within 30 days of drilling. In lakefront or coastal communities, local town Shoreland Zoning Ordinances require additional environmental setback reviews from high-water lines.

Regional Service Territory — Maine

Water Wells & Groundwater Services in Maine

✓ Licensed in ME · Serving New England Since 1980📞 7-Day Dispatch: 1-800-339-9051

Maine Hydrogeology & Well Drilling Conditions

Maine's ancient hard bedrock provides excellent long-term wells, but water yields can be unpredictable in zones of low fracture density. The state has the highest residential radon-in-water concentrations in the US, driven by its uranium-bearing granitic bedrock. The Maine CDC recommends radon testing for all private wells. The Maine DWP issues driller licenses and requires a Well Completion Report for every well drilled.

Dominant Aquifer

Bedrock Well (Deep Fracture Flow)

Typical Well Depth

200–600 ft; coastal areas can be shallower

Bedrock Formations

Ancient metamorphic and igneous rock — granite, gneiss, schist, quartzite

Drinking Water Quality & Bedrock Contaminant Profiles in Maine

Groundwater chemistry in Maine is shaped by the mineralogy of its underlying rock formations. Our field testing and engineering team treats the following parameters statewide:

Radon

Geological Cause: Maine has among the highest radon-in-water levels nationally; uranium-bearing granite is the primary source

Engineered Solution: Point-of-Entry aeration system (reduces radon 95–99%)

Arsenic

Geological Cause: Naturally occurring in ME bedrock; elevated in parts of York, Oxford, and Aroostook counties

Engineered Solution: Oxidation-filtration or whole-house RO depending on concentration level

Iron & Manganese

Geological Cause: High iron common in ME coastal zones and overburden wells

Engineered Solution: Oxidizing filter (Birm/Greensand) or chemical feed system

Low Yield

Geological Cause: Some ME bedrock zones have sparse fracturing and low water production

Engineered Solution: Hydrofracturing to open existing fractures, or alternate well siting

Maine Well Permitting, Setbacks & Sanitary Code Compliance

Maine DWP licenses well drillers. Well Completion Reports must be filed within 30 days. Local shoreland zoning may add setback requirements in lakefront and coastal areas.

Septic Leach Field:

100 ft minimum separation

Septic Tank & Sewer:

50 ft minimum separation

Property Boundaries:

10–25 ft municipal setback

7-Day Emergency Well Service & Pump Dispatch in Maine

When your well stops producing water or an electrical pressure switch fails in mid-winter, waiting days for parts is not an option. Ogden Wells operates a dedicated mobile emergency service fleet ready to roll across Maine:

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Boom Hoist Trucks

Equipped to pull 400+ ft downhole pump columns safely in all weather conditions.

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Onboard Inventory

Stocked with Goulds and Franklin Electric submersible pumps (1/2 to 5 HP) and Well-X-Trol tanks.

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State Lab Diagnostics

Same-day water sampling for bacteria, heavy metals, arsenic, radon, and pH chemistry.

Communities & Municipalities Served Across Maine

PortlandSouth PortlandScarboroughCape ElizabethFalmouthYarmouthFreeportBrunswickGorhamWindhamKennebunkKennebunkportSacoBiddefordOld Orchard BeachYorkKittery+ all regional Maine communities

💡 Maine has the highest radon-in-water concentrations in the country. We test every new well and include aeration system recommendations in every Maine proposal.

Northeast Groundwater Territory

New England & New York Regional Coverage

Active drilling licenses, hydrofracturing rigs, and 7-day emergency pump crews dispatched throughout Maine and across the entire Northeast corridor.

Ogden Wells Regional Coverage Map with New England Callout — Serving MA, NH, ME, RI, CT, VT, and NY

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Wells in Maine

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Fully licensed in Maine. Providing professional well drilling and pump systems since 1980.

📞 1-800-339-9051 💬 Request a Quote

📍 7-State Coverage: MA · NH · ME · RI · CT · VT · NY

Our ME Services

✓ New Bedrock Well Drilling
✓ Submersible Pump Installation
✓ Pressure Tank Replacement
✓ High-Pressure HydroFracturing
✓ Whole-House Water Filtration
✓ Downhole Video Well Inspection
✓ 7-Day Emergency Dispatch
✓ Board of Health Permitting

Prevalent Maine Water Parameters

⚠ Radon (among highest in US)
⚠ Arsenic
⚠ Iron & manganese
⚠ Hardness
⚠ Low yield in some deep bedrock zones

New England Groundwater Fleet