Historical Compliance Records CT

Bethel Water Department

EPA ID: CT0090011 ยท 9,507 people served ยท 2 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Bethel Water Department (CT0090011): 52 EPA violations in the last five years. Within the five-year EPA monitoring span, Bethel Water Department accumulated 52 violations - every finding has been resolved and the utility operates in full compliance today, supplying water to approximately 9,507 people without any active enforcement proceedings.

Data: EPA SDWIS

F ยท 36
Avg Safety Score
9,507
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
52
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0014 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk ยท High
38
Contaminants Flagged
$389K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Bethel Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary - Grade F

Service Area Demographics

$94,754
Median Household Income
75,677
Service Area Population
26%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Bethel Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $94,754 and an estimated 75,677 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

๐ŸŒŠ Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Bethel Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
20 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 71% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Bethel Water Department compares to EPA limits

PFOA 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.000004 mg/L
PFNA 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.00001 mg/L
Mercury 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.002 mg/L
Kidney damage, neurological impairment
Chlorodibromomethane 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.002 mg/L
Liver cancer, brain cancer (known carcinogen)
Cadmium 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.005 mg/L
Kidney damage accumulating over lifetime; probable carcinogen

What This Means For You

PFOA at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.000004 mg/L.

PFNA at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.00001 mg/L.

Mercury at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Kidney damage, neurological impairment. Consider activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Chlorodibromomethane at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.002 mg/L. Liver cancer, brain cancer (known carcinogen). Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Cadmium at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.005 mg/L. Kidney damage accumulating over lifetime; probable carcinogen. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 7 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

State limits: PFOA: 0.012 ppt, PFOS: 0.016 ppt, PFHxS: 0.018 ppt, PFHpA: 0.018 ppt, PFNA: 0.013 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter โ†’

Mercury was detected in this water system. activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter โ†’

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Connecticut

B 5 violations
Aquarion-new Canaan
10,097 people
1 violation
Aquarion-mystic
10,788 people
C 0 violations
Winsted Water Works
7,784 people
B 0 violations
C 7 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Flood Insurance $1,500
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $600
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $3,600

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,665
10 years
$15,330
20 years
$30,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,600 (one-time) vs. $15,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Bethel Water Department (EPA ID: CT0090011) is a community water system in Connecticut that serves approximately 9,507 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: F (36/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 2 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.

Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.

Violation History

No current noncompliance in the accepted 2026Q2 snapshot. The 52 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 40 resolved, 12 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Chlorite Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Chlorite Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Barium Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Cadmium Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Chromium Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Fluoride Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Selenium Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Nickel Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Nitrite Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Contaminant 1036 Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Mercury Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Contaminant 1075 Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Contaminant 1085 Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 Contaminant 1045 Non-health-based Archived
January 1, 2025 PFOA Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 PFNA Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Dichloroacetic Acid Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Bromodichloromethane Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Dibromochloromethane Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2025 Bromoform Non-health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Barium Inorganic 2 No
Cadmium Inorganic 2 No
Chromium Inorganic 2 No
Fluoride Inorganic 2 No
Selenium Inorganic 2 No
Nitrite Inorganic 2 No
Contaminant 1036 Other Violation 2 No
Lead Inorganic 2 No
Copper Inorganic 2 No
Contaminant 1045 Other Violation 2 No
Mercury Inorganic 2 No
Contaminant 1075 Other Violation 2 No
Contaminant 1085 Other Violation 2 No
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Nickel Inorganic 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0.0014 mg/L No N/A

No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20โ€“$50 (DIY kit) ยท Professional inspection: $150โ€“$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking โ€” this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by CT or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Bethel Water Department (CT0090011) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bethel Water Department water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Bethel Water Department; its 52 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Bethel Water Department serve?

Bethel Water Department serves approximately 9,507 people across 2 ZIP codes in Connecticut.

Where does Bethel Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
58
Detections
6
Latest sample
9/10/2024
Highest analyte
PFOA: 5.9 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOA 5.9 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBS 3.9 ppt โ€” โ€”
PFPeA 3 ppt โ€” โ€”

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) โ€” per-system federal sampling, 2023โ€“2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program โ†’

Understand PFAS health context and filtration โ†’

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Bethel Water Department safe to drink?
Bethel Water Department has a F safety grade based on 52 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Bethel Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include PFOA, PFNA, Mercury, Chlorodibromomethane. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Bethel Water Department serve?
Bethel Water Department serves approximately 9,507 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Bethel Water Department's water source?
Bethel Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Bethel Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0014 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Bethel Water Department's service area?
The Bethel Water Department service area has a median household income of $94,754. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Bethel Water Department get its water?
Bethel Water Department's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on the exported violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is classified as elevated.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Bethel Water Department (CT): 52 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0090011/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-ct0090011,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Bethel Water Department (CT): 52 EPA Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0090011/}
}

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter โ†’

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report โ†’

3

Contact your utility

Bethel Water Department (EPA ID: CT0090011) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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