Some Maine Water customers in the Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Pine Point areas may notice a musty, earthy, or slightly different taste or smell in their drinking water. The Saco River is the water source for the region, and the combination of warmer late-summer water temperatures and lower river levels, resulting from the current severe drought conditions, can affect the taste and smell of drinking water.

Not everyone will notice these changes. People vary in their sensitivity to tastes and smells, and some may detect subtle differences that others do not. Regardless of whether the water tastes or smells different, it continues to meet all Maine Drinking Water Program and federal drinking water standards and can continue to be used for drinking, cooking, and normal household purposes.

These taste and smell changes are temporary and are expected to diminish as river temperatures cool and water levels recover, particularly with a return to more typical precipitation.

In the meantime, there are a couple of things you can do:

• Run your cold water tap longer than usual to help ensure you are receiving fresh water from the water main.

• Fill a pitcher and chill it in the refrigerator. Cold water often makes seasonal taste and smell changes less noticeable.

Bottom line: Your water continues to meet all Maine Drinking Water Program and federal drinking water standards. While seasonal conditions may temporarily affect its taste or smell, the familiar taste of the water is expected to return as cooler weather and higher river levels return to the region.

 

Posted September 11, 2026