Blue Hill campus water remediation underway

Date: 07/23/2026

Recent tests of Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital well water show levels of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) over the Maine State Drinking Water Program guidelines. Tests found PFAS levels at 20.1 ppt (parts per trillion) whereas the current state guidance is to conduct remediation for anything over 20 ppt.  

“While this type of well does not currently have regulatory requirements or interim guidelines, we felt it was important to take action now,” shares Tim Doak, PE, PLS, MBA, vice president of Facilities. “We are taking immediate steps to implement a short-term fix and a long-term solution that ensures our staff and patients have access to clean water, regardless of how small the potential risk.” 

In the short term, Northern Light Blue Hill Hospital is making bottled water available for patients and staff and is bringing in a tanker truck which will pipe water directly into the hospital and adjacent buildings. As a long-term solution, the hospital is working with a Maine based company that specializes in water remediation to design and implement a remediation system.  

Anyone who is interested in more information about PFAS can find more information on the Maine Department of Health and Human Services website.