The Black Sheep

PWSID: ME0003325

No active violations
This system has no unresolved violations. The most recent violation on record was 2025-03-28.

This system has more violations on record than 77% of water systems in Maine.

Violation trend: 3.2 per year over the last 5 years.

System Details

Population Served160
Service Connections1
Water SourceGroundwater
System TypeTransient Non-Community
OwnerPrivate
StatusActive
CitySullivan
EPA ZIP on File04664

Areas Served

  • Sullivan, Hancock County

Violation History (21 total)

ContaminantViolationDateHealth-BasedStatus
7500Other2025-03-28Returned to Compliance
7500Other2025-03-28Returned to Compliance
7500Other2024-12-13Returned to Compliance
7500Other2024-12-13Returned to Compliance
8000MON2024-10-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2024-10-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2024-10-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2024-04-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2024-04-01 MajorAcknowledged
8000MON2024-04-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2024-04-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2022-07-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2022-07-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2022-07-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2022-07-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
8000MON2022-07-01 MajorReturned to Compliance
7500Other2011-11-25Returned to Compliance
7500Other2002-09-25Returned to Compliance
7500Other2002-07-21Returned to Compliance
3100MR
Measured: 0 mg/L (EPA limit: varies)
1993-01-01 MajorI
3100MR
Measured: 0 mg/L (EPA limit: varies)
1992-01-01 MajorI

Understanding This Water System's Record

The Black Sheep is a transient non-community water system that draws from groundwater sources and serves a population of 160 in Sullivan, Maine. This page shows its complete compliance history as reported to the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), the federal database that tracks every public water system in the United States.

What Do These Violations Mean?

Health-based violations mean the system exceeded an EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) or failed to provide required treatment. These indicate potential health risks from contaminants like lead, arsenic, bacteria, nitrates, or disinfection byproducts. Non-health-based violations involve monitoring, reporting, or procedural requirements — the system missed a testing deadline or failed to notify customers, but contaminant levels were not necessarily unsafe.

What Should You Do?

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) that details test results and any violations. If your system has active health-based violations, consider a certified water filter rated for the specific contaminants involved. The contaminant guides on this site explain health risks and filter options for common pollutants. For the most current results, contact your water utility directly — EPA data can lag weeks or months behind real-time testing.