Worst Infrastructure: Connecticut

Out of 393 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Connecticut, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	393
Highest risk	61%
Median risk	43%
Average risk	41%
State	Connecticut

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	06459	Middletown	CT	61%	Very High	61/100
2	06481	Rockfall	CT	60%	High	54/100
3	06710	Waterbury	CT	60%	High	65/100
4	06061	Pine Meadow	CT	59%	High	53/100
5	06108	East Hartford	CT	59%	High	65/100
6	06118	East Hartford	CT	58%	High	60/100
7	06260	Putnam	CT	58%	High	71/100
8	06706	Waterbury	CT	58%	High	65/100
9	06069	Sharon	CT	57%	High	74/100
10	06263	Rogers	CT	57%	High	53/100
11	06702	Waterbury	CT	57%	High	65/100
12	06790	Torrington	CT	56%	High	72/100
13	06906	Stamford	CT	56%	High	64/100
14	06002	Bloomfield	CT	55%	High	69/100
15	06043	Bolton	CT	55%	High	67/100
16	06241	Dayville	CT	55%	High	41/100
17	06277	Thompson	CT	55%	High	74/100
18	06795	Watertown	CT	55%	High	74/100
19	06812	New Fairfield	CT	55%	High	63/100
20	06279	Willington	CT	54%	High	66/100
21	06360	Norwich	CT	54%	High	49/100
22	06389	Yantic	CT	54%	High	55/100
23	06412	Chester	CT	54%	High	54/100
24	06439	Hadlyme	CT	54%	High	53/100
25	06704	Waterbury	CT	54%	High	60/100
26	06903	Stamford	CT	54%	High	59/100
27	06907	Stamford	CT	54%	High	64/100
28	06331	Canterbury	CT	53%	High	66/100
29	06371	Old Lyme	CT	53%	High	40/100
30	06417	Deep River	CT	53%	High	61/100
31	06708	Waterbury	CT	53%	High	60/100
32	06763	Morris	CT	53%	High	74/100
33	06793	Washington	CT	53%	High	76/100
34	06825	Fairfield	CT	53%	High	51/100
35	06905	Stamford	CT	53%	High	59/100
36	06024	East Canaan	CT	52%	High	63/100
37	06040	Manchester	CT	52%	High	86/100
38	06052	New Britain	CT	52%	High	85/100
39	06076	Stafford Springs	CT	52%	High	61/100
40	06114	Hartford	CT	52%	High	86/100
41	06119	West Hartford	CT	52%	High	65/100
42	06226	Willimantic	CT	52%	High	74/100
43	06281	Woodstock	CT	52%	High	46/100
44	06335	Gales Ferry	CT	52%	High	56/100
45	06365	Preston	CT	52%	High	64/100
46	06376	South Lyme	CT	52%	High	53/100
47	06382	Uncasville	CT	52%	High	68/100
48	06480	Portland	CT	52%	High	56/100
49	06607	Bridgeport	CT	52%	High	45/100
50	06705	Waterbury	CT	52%	High	60/100
51	06801	Bethel	CT	52%	High	59/100
52	06091	West Hartland	CT	51%	High	53/100
53	06262	Quinebaug	CT	51%	High	78/100
54	06266	South Windham	CT	51%	High	53/100
55	06339	Ledyard	CT	51%	High	50/100
56	06355	Mystic	CT	51%	High	51/100
57	06414	Cobalt	CT	51%	High	41/100
58	06426	Essex	CT	51%	High	52/100
59	06451	Meriden	CT	51%	High	56/100
60	06457	Middletown	CT	51%	High	56/100
61	06752	Bridgewater	CT	51%	High	61/100
62	06757	Kent	CT	51%	High	74/100
63	06824	Fairfield	CT	51%	High	46/100
64	06010	Bristol	CT	50%	High	67/100
65	06018	Canaan	CT	50%	High	82/100
66	06033	Glastonbury	CT	50%	High	81/100
67	06081	Tariffville	CT	50%	High	98/100
68	06105	Hartford	CT	50%	High	91/100
69	06320	New London	CT	50%	High	40/100
70	06357	Niantic	CT	50%	High	52/100
71	06374	Plainfield	CT	50%	High	74/100
72	06380	Taftville	CT	50%	High	63/100
73	06450	Meriden	CT	50%	High	56/100
74	06455	Middlefield	CT	50%	High	66/100
75	06604	Bridgeport	CT	50%	High	35/100
76	06610	Bridgeport	CT	50%	High	45/100
77	06750	Bantam	CT	50%	High	76/100
78	06026	East Granby	CT	49%	High	83/100
79	06051	New Britain	CT	49%	High	95/100
80	06070	Simsbury	CT	49%	High	80/100
81	06106	Hartford	CT	49%	High	86/100
82	06107	West Hartford	CT	49%	High	60/100
83	06112	Hartford	CT	49%	High	91/100
84	06278	Ashford	CT	49%	High	74/100
85	06351	Jewett City	CT	49%	High	60/100
86	06387	Wauregan	CT	49%	High	53/100
87	06456	Middle Haddam	CT	49%	High	40/100
88	06492	Wallingford	CT	49%	High	55/100
89	06498	Westbrook	CT	49%	High	54/100
90	06605	Bridgeport	CT	49%	High	35/100
91	06716	Wolcott	CT	49%	High	61/100
92	06758	Lakeside	CT	49%	High	53/100
93	06109	Wethersfield	CT	48%	High	84/100
94	06234	Brooklyn	CT	48%	High	68/100
95	06235	Chaplin	CT	48%	High	54/100
96	06239	Danielson	CT	48%	High	82/100
97	06332	Central Village	CT	48%	High	53/100
98	06373	Oneco	CT	48%	High	83/100
99	06488	Southbury	CT	48%	High	51/100
100	06511	New Haven	CT	48%	High	65/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Worst Infrastructure: Connecticut — 2026 Rankings