East Lyme, CT: PFAS Found in Water - Home Safety 36/100
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for East Lyme: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Water monitoring data from East Lyme, CT tells a below-average story - health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How East Lyme Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for East Lyme Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 42 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 55% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
East Lyme's Water Providers
Federal records track 1 water system in East Lyme, CT, and a single provider handles the dominant share of residential connections while carrying primary responsibility for EPA compliance.
- F
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in East Lyme, Connecticut (population ~7,323), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 15,245 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for East Lyme: F (36/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
East Lyme water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOA | PFAS | 4 | 1 |
| PFNA | PFAS | 4 | 1 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Bromodichloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
| Dibromochloromethane | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06333 | F | 42 | 0 | East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission |
All ZIP Codes in East Lyme
- 06333 [F] - 42 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
What's in East Lyme's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
East Lyme Infrastructure Age
With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in East Lyme was built in 1987 - a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in East Lyme were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in East Lyme
In East Lyme, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in East Lyme are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% above the Connecticut average.
East Lyme: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet - and where 55% of East Lyme homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
East Lyme: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for East Lyme contains 74 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,351. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$3,000</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in East Lyme
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for PFOA can reduce the most common contaminant found in East Lyme's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 55% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for East Lyme, CT