Water Resources

Water resources in Maine are found at the land surface, as streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds, and lakes, and beneath the land surface as ground water in loose surficial materials and in fractures in solid bedrock. Ground water is an unseen resource of great importance to the people of the State. Approximately 90% of the rural population in Maine obtains their water from wells, and ground water is a significant source for municipal and industrial water supplies. Ground water provides direct and indirect work opportunities for well drillers, water bottling companies, and engineering and hydrogeological consulting firms, as well as the industries which support these groups.

As the lead agency which characterizes the ground water resources of the State, the Maine Geological Survey (MGS) provides data and products to the public and private sector to assist in community planning and resource protection efforts, as well as in site evaluation decisions by municipal, state, and federal agencies. Although its water resources programs are focused principally on ground water, the MGS does interact with federal and other State of Maine agencies in both surface- and ground-water cooperative projects. Refer to the Contact Us section for staff and responsibilities of the Hydrogeology Section. Selected highlights of programs are listed in the links below.

Last updated on October 6, 2005

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Water Resources