Connecticut Water Quality Report: 3,061 Violations Across 433 ZIPs
535 water systems · 433 ZIP codes · 3,061 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: Connecticut
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in Connecticut.
Cities with Most Violations in Connecticut
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stamford | C | 760 | 5 | 592 | Details → |
| 2 | Waterbury | C | 352 | 2 | 107,761 | Details → |
| 3 | East Hartford | D | 120 | 5 | 769 | Details → |
| 4 | Wallingford | C | 96 | 2 | 37,351 | Details → |
| 5 | Newtown | C | 62 | 4 | 9,326 | Details → |
| 6 | Danbury | C | 54 | 5 | 63,789 | Details → |
| 7 | Enfield | C | 48 | 5 | 26,228 | Details → |
| 8 | New Milford | C | 48 | 5 | 1,719 | Details → |
| 9 | Cheshire | D | 48 | 1 | 84 | Details → |
| 10 | Hartford | A | 36 | 1 | 390,887 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in Connecticut
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 685 | 162 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 554 | 163 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 311 | 105 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 284 | 113 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 93 | 72 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 83 | 43 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 82 | 60 | No |
| Contaminant 1017 | Other | 81 | 21 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 80 | 20 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 56 | 29 | Yes |
Water Quality Overview
Connecticut has 535 community water systems serving approximately 5,827,647 people across 433 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 3,061 EPA violations, including 343 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 11% of all violations in Connecticut. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 343 | 11.2% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 2,718 | 88.8% |
| Total | 3,061 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in Connecticut have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stamford | C | 760 | 5 | 592 |
| 2 | Waterbury | C | 352 | 2 | 107,761 |
| 3 | East Hartford | D | 120 | 5 | 769 |
| 4 | Wallingford | C | 96 | 2 | 37,351 |
| 5 | Newtown | C | 62 | 4 | 9,326 |
| 6 | Danbury | C | 54 | 5 | 63,789 |
| 7 | Enfield | C | 48 | 5 | 26,228 |
| 8 | New Milford | C | 48 | 5 | 1,719 |
| 9 | Cheshire | D | 48 | 1 | 84 |
| 10 | Hartford | A | 36 | 1 | 390,887 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in Connecticut:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 40 | 40 |
| 2022 | 61 | 61 |
| 2023 | 54 | 54 |
| 2024 | 315 | 315 |
| 2025 | 48 | 48 |
Violations have increased from 40 in 2021 to 48 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across Connecticut water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 685 | 162 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 554 | 163 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 311 | 105 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 284 | 113 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 93 | 72 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 82 | 60 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 80 | 20 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 56 | 29 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 47 | 44 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 43 | 43 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in Connecticut
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 2,836 enforcement actions against water systems in Connecticut. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. Connecticut has 343 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Connecticut?
Connecticut has 535 community water systems with 3,061 recorded EPA violations, including 343 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Connecticut have?
Connecticut has 3,061 total EPA violations across 433 ZIP codes. 343 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in Connecticut has the worst water quality?
Stamford, CT has the most EPA violations among major cities in Connecticut with 760 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in Connecticut has the best water quality?
Several cities in Connecticut maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in Connecticut drinking water?
Connecticut water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.