Water Quality in Hartford, CT: 36 Violations — Grade A
Grade A · Score 92/100 · 1 water system · Updated 2026-05-03
Hartford's water meets all EPA standards with no health-based violations.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) Last verified: 2026-05-03
On record with EPA: Hartford, CT has 36 water violations.
Water Quality Map: Hartford, CT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Hartford
Water quality varies across Hartford's 36 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06106 | A | 86 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06114 | A | 86 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06101 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06103 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06105 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06112 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06115 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06120 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06180 | A | 91 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06102 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06104 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06123 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06126 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06132 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 06134 | A | 93 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Hartford, Connecticut receives a water quality grade of A with an overall score of 92 out of 100, based on EPA compliance data from the Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS).
The 1 water system serving Hartford have accumulated 36 EPA violations (all monitoring/reporting type). These violations are tracked across 36 ZIP codes serving approximately 390,887 people.
What Grade A Means
A grade of A indicates excellent compliance with EPA drinking water standards. Hartford's water systems have maintained strong performance in both contaminant monitoring and regulatory compliance.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Hartford water systems is 0.0067 mg/L — within EPA limits. No ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level.
With 83% of homes built before 1986, Hartford has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Hartford
Hartford is served by 1 community water system regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 390,887 people across 36 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 36 enforcement actions against water systems serving Hartford. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Hartford
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test — certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories — monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Hartford Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Hartford's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 36 | 36 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 1 enforcement action against water systems serving Hartford. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2021-02-22 | State Order Extension |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2021-02-22.
Hartford vs. Nearby Connecticut Cities
How Hartford's water quality compares to similar cities in Connecticut:
| City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | A | 36 | 1 | 390,887 |
| Poquonock | B | 0 | 1 | 390,887 |
| Windsor Locks | C | 0 | 1 | 390,887 |
| West Hartford | C | 0 | 2 | 391,114 |
Recommended Water Filters for Hartford
Based on contaminants detected in Hartford's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, under-sink or whole-house)
- Removes: Total haloacetic acids
- Effectiveness: 60-80%
- Cost range: $100–$600
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC, whole-house POE)
- Removes: Total trihalomethanes
- Effectiveness: 80-99%
- Cost range: $400–$2000
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 53
- Recommended products:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Lead
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Hartford
Water quality varies across Hartford's ZIP codes. The table below shows the worst-scoring and best-scoring areas:
| ZIP Code | Score | Grade | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06106 | 86 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06114 | 86 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06101 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06103 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06105 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06112 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06115 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06120 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06180 | 91 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06102 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06199 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06183 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06176 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06167 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
| 06161 | 93 | A | 1 | 0 |
Common Questions About Hartford Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Hartford, Connecticut:
Is Hartford water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Hartford's 1 water system uses a single source. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Hartford tap water? Hartford's water receives a grade of A (92/100). No health-based violations have been recorded, but home testing is always recommended.
What is the best water filter for Hartford? Based on detected contaminants, a granular activated carbon (gac, under-sink or whole-house) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Hartford vs. Connecticut Average
Understanding how Hartford compares to the broader Connecticut average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below — water quality can vary significantly even within Hartford.
ZIP Codes in Hartford
Hartford spans 36 ZIP codes. The ZIP with the lowest water quality score is 06101. Each ZIP code has its own water quality profile based on the specific water system serving that area. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Water is Safe — Here's How to Keep It That Way
Grade A is excellent news. Here's what proactive homeowners do to maintain water quality:
Annual Water Testing
EPA recommends annual testing even with clean water. Home test kits: $20-$50. Catches changes before they become problems.
Maintenance Filtration
A basic carbon filter removes chlorine taste and catches emerging contaminants like PFAS that aren't yet fully regulated.
Plumbing Check
Even safe city water picks up lead from home pipes. If your home was built before 1986, a one-time pipe inspection is recommended.