Hartford, CT: 36 Violations - 92/100 (2026)
36 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Hartford: A.
No federal data flags a major home-safety concern for this ZIP.
Within Hartford, safety indicators for tap water remain above the CT median - documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
What You Should Know About Hartford Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 36 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0067 mg/L.
Water Quality in Hartford
We track water quality and home safety data for 36 ZIP codes in Hartford, Connecticut (population ~120,347), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 390,887 people region-wide.
36 of 36 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 36 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: A (92/100)
Water sources: Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 36 | 36 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0067 mg/L
- 83% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 42% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1946
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 72/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 6 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 83% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Hartford residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
56,456 total housing units across 36 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 21,191 | 38% |
| 1940–1949 | 5,166 | 9% |
| 1950–1959 | 7,674 | 14% |
| 1960–1969 | 7,760 | 14% |
| 1970–1979 | 4,440 | 8% |
| 1980–1989 | 4,606 | 8% |
| 1990–1999 | 2,401 | 4% |
| 2000–2009 | 1,588 | 3% |
| 2010–2019 | 1,545 | 3% |
| 2020+ | 85 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Hartford:
- 62 flood insurance claims on record
- $510,095 total paid out
- $8,227 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 3 of 36 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 36 ZIP codes
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06102 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06104 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06123 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06126 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06132 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06134 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06140 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06141 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06142 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
| 06143 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06114 | 86/100 | A | 1 |
| 06106 | 86/100 | A | 1 |
| 06180 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06120 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06115 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06112 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06105 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06103 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06101 | 91/100 | A | 1 |
| 06199 | 93/100 | A | 1 |
What Hartford Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Hartford has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Hartford
- 06101 [A] - 1 violation
- 06102 [A] - 1 violation
- 06103 [A] - 1 violation
- 06104 [A] - 1 violation
- 06105 [A] - 1 violation
- 06106 [A] - 1 violation
- 06112 [A] - 1 violation
- 06114 [A] - 1 violation
- 06115 [A] - 1 violation
- 06120 [A] - 1 violation
- 06123 [A] - 1 violation
- 06126 [A] - 1 violation
- 06132 [A] - 1 violation
- 06134 [A] - 1 violation
- 06140 [A] - 1 violation
- 06141 [A] - 1 violation
- 06142 [A] - 1 violation
- 06143 [A] - 1 violation
- 06144 [A] - 1 violation
- 06145 [A] - 1 violation
- 06146 [A] - 1 violation
- 06147 [A] - 1 violation
- 06150 [A] - 1 violation
- 06151 [A] - 1 violation
- 06152 [A] - 1 violation
- 06153 [A] - 1 violation
- 06154 [A] - 1 violation
- 06155 [A] - 1 violation
- 06156 [A] - 1 violation
- 06160 [A] - 1 violation
- 06161 [A] - 1 violation
- 06167 [A] - 1 violation
- 06176 [A] - 1 violation
- 06180 [A] - 1 violation
- 06183 [A] - 1 violation
- 06199 [A] - 1 violation
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Hartford, CT?
Hartford has an average Home Safety Score of 92/100 (grade A) across 36 ZIP codes. There are 36 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Hartford have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Hartford is 0.0067 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 83% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Hartford at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 62 flood insurance claims in Hartford ZIP codes, with an average payout of $8,227. 3 of 36 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Hartford homes?
83% of Hartford housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 42% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Hartford water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Fecal Coliform. Across 36 ZIP codes, 36 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Housing & Infrastructure in Hartford
Median build year of 1946 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Compared to many older metro areas, Hartford carries a relatively newer housing profile - the median build year of 1946 places most of the stock in the post-1986 era when lead solder was federally banned from new plumbing. That shift meaningfully reduces the baseline likelihood of lead leaching from copper joint solder. Homes from before 1986 do still exist in the mix, however, and individual testing remains the only way to confirm what a specific tap actually delivers.
Most homes in Hartford were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Hartford
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.
Lead risk in Hartford appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Hartford
Flood insurance records under FEMA's NFIP show limited historical flood activity for Hartford. Understanding where a community falls on the exposure spectrum matters for water quality assessment because flooding operates as a compounding hazard: during significant flood events, treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, private wells can be infiltrated by surface runoff, and pressure changes in distribution systems can allow backflow of contaminated water. None of those mechanisms are absent here, but they require event conditions that the current NFIP record suggests have been infrequent.
Hartford has a relatively low flood history with 62 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Hartford, CT