Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” have been identified across the state in soil and groundwater. The Maine Department of Environmental Protection has reported more than 1,000 sites under investigation, many tied to historic sludge spreading, landfills, and firefighting foam use. These chemicals do not readily break down in the environment. If they reach a private well, they stay there until addressed.
At the federal level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized the first nationwide drinking water standards for PFAS in April 2024. The rule sets enforceable limits of 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOA and 4.0 parts per trillion for PFOS, among other compounds. You can review the EPA’s final rule here:
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
Maine has also taken legislative action.
LD 493, passed by the Maine House and Senate in 2025 and carried forward, requires landlords with private wells to test for PFAS every five years and disclose results to tenants within 10 days. It also requires home sellers to disclose any PFAS test results to buyers. Legislative summary:
https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=493
LD 500 expands recommended private well testing to include PFAS and provides free testing for qualifying residents, further normalizing PFAS screening as standard practice. Legislative summary:
https://legislature.maine.gov/bills/display_ps.asp?LD=500
The direction is clear. PFAS testing is moving from optional to expected.
Why this matters for private well owners
More than half of Maine households rely on private wells. These wells are not regulated under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. That means no one is automatically testing your water. Standard well panels typically check for bacteria, nitrates, and a few metals. They do not include PFAS unless specifically requested.
If you are buying a home on a private well, PFAS testing gives you information before you assume ownership. If you are selling, proactive testing can prevent last-minute negotiation issues. If you are a landlord, LD 493 signals recurring compliance obligations. If you operate a commercial property with a private well, documented testing supports liability management and due diligence.
The risk is not abstract. The Maine CDC and DEP have published guidance linking PFAS exposure to increased risks of certain cancers, thyroid disease, immune system effects, and other health concerns. The only way to know what is in your water is to test it.
How Focused Property Inspections supports PFAS testing
Focused Property Inspections (FPI) is prepared to perform PFAS water testing across Maine for new homeowners, sellers, landlords, and commercial operators.
We offer two levels of PFAS testing:
• Screening-level testing for fast insight during a real estate transaction.
• Full EPA-method analysis (such as EPA 533 or 537.1) providing quantified results for individual PFAS compounds.
Both options are processed through an accredited laboratory partner. FPI manages the entire process, from on-site sample collection or self-collection kit distribution to laboratory coordination and results delivery. Customers do not have to navigate laboratory logistics or regulatory paperwork on their own.
For real estate transactions, PFAS sampling can be added directly to the home inspection visit. That means no additional scheduling and no disruption to objection windows. For landlords managing multiple properties, self-collection kits provide a practical path to portfolio-wide compliance. For commercial operators, documented PFAS analysis supports internal risk management and lender or investor expectations.
This is not alarmism. It is operational clarity.
Testing replaces assumptions with data. If results are below Maine’s interim standard of 20 parts per trillion for the sum of six PFAS compounds and below federal EPA thresholds, you have documentation. If results exceed published limits, you have time and leverage to evaluate filtration, negotiate in a transaction, or address tenant communication before the issue escalates.
Maine’s regulatory posture is evolving. Federal standards are now in place. State legislation is moving toward mandatory testing and disclosure. In this environment, doing nothing is a decision. Testing is disciplined due diligence.
If your property relies on a private well, the question is straightforward: do you know what is in your water?
Focused Property Inspections is ready to help you answer that question with accredited PFAS testing, clear reporting, and a process built for Maine’s real estate and rental markets.
To schedule PFAS testing or add it to your upcoming inspection, contact our office at 833-FPI-INSP (833-374-4677) or visit our PFAS page here.