Fairfield, CT: 3 Health Violations — 53/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although conditions vary by service area, Fairfield's water systems collectively show below-average compliance within CT — health-based violations are documented throughout the city, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.
How Fairfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fairfield Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 24 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,900 per household.
Fairfield's Water Providers
Structurally, Fairfield, CT's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 2 water systems in the area, with 2 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Fairfield, Connecticut (population ~57,860), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 351,828 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairfield: D (53/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Fairfield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 3 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06824 | D | 8 | 1 | AQUARION-EASTERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY |
| 06825 | D | 8 | 1 | AQUARION-EASTERN FAIRFIELD COUNTY |
| 06828 | C | 8 | 1 | Essex Gardens |
All ZIP Codes in Fairfield
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
Updated daily.
What's in Fairfield's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Fairfield Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Fairfield's median build year of 1961 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Fairfield 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 Fairfield
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Fairfield is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in Fairfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,883–$4,067 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 103% above the Connecticut average.
Fairfield: 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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 83% pre-rule share in Fairfield keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Fairfield: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
What does a high NFIP claim count mean for water quality in Fairfield? The 2199 documented claims reflect a flood history frequent enough that those infrastructure degradation pathways — treatment overload, well infiltration, backflow — have almost certainly been periodically activated. That record makes flood timing a relevant factor in local water quality assessment, particularly in the 67% of ZIP codes FEMA has designated as flood zones.
Fairfield has a significant flood history with 2,199 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $17,782 per claim. With 67% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,900</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Fairfield
- 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 Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Fairfield's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 83% 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 Fairfield, CT