Historical Compliance Records CT

Colchester Sewer & Water Commission

EPA ID: CT0280011 ยท 4,020 people served ยท 1 ZIP code

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (CT0280011): 13 EPA violations in the last five years. The five-year EPA compliance file for Colchester Sewer & Water Commission contains 13 violations, each documented and subsequently closed - the utility now operates in full compliance and continues to supply approximately 4,020 residents with water meeting current federal standards, including both health-based and monitoring requirements.

Data: EPA SDWIS

D ยท 41
Avg Safety Score
4,020
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
13
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk ยท High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$341K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Colchester Sewer & Water Commission Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary - Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$119,656
Median Household Income
16,075
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
57%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Colchester Sewer & Water Commission serves a community with a median household income of $119,656 and an estimated 16,075 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

๐Ÿ’ง Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Colchester Sewer & Water Commission's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

40 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
30 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 57% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Colchester Sewer & Water Commission compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Coliform at 3 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded. 1 exceeds 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†’

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter โ†’

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Connecticut

B 0 violations
0 violations
D 5 violations
B 0 violations
C 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

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

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,300 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (EPA ID: CT0280011) is a community water system in Connecticut that serves approximately 4,020 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 06415 in Colchester.

ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: D (41/100)

This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 1 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 13 records in the 2021-2026 window are classified as resolved or archived, not current.

Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 12 resolved, 1 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
March 1, 2026 Total Coliform Non-health-based Archived
August 10, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved
June 15, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Non-health-based Resolved
June 15, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Non-health-based Resolved
May 25, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Non-health-based Resolved
March 1, 2024 Total Coliform Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Coliform Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Non-health-based Resolved
January 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved
October 1, 2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule Non-health-based Resolved
July 1, 2021 Surface Water Treatment Rule Non-health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 4 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 3 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0 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 Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (CT0280011) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colchester Sewer & Water Commission water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Colchester Sewer & Water Commission; its 13 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.

How many people does Colchester Sewer & Water Commission serve?

Colchester Sewer & Water Commission serves approximately 4,020 people across 1 ZIP code in Connecticut.

Where does Colchester Sewer & Water Commission get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
232
Detections
8
Latest sample
9/11/2023
Highest analyte
PFOS: 9 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFOS 9 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxS 3.6 ppt 10 ppt Below current MCL

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†’

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Colchester Sewer & Water Commission safe to drink?
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission has a D safety grade based on 13 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits - independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Colchester Sewer & Water Commission's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Total Coliform. 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 Colchester Sewer & Water Commission serve?
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission serves approximately 4,020 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Colchester Sewer & Water Commission's water source?
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Colchester Sewer & Water Commission's service area?
The Colchester Sewer & Water Commission service area has a median household income of $119,656. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Colchester Sewer & Water Commission get its water?
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. 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.). Colchester Sewer and Water Commission: 13 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0280011/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-ct0280011,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Colchester Sewer and Water Commission: 13 EPA Violations}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0280011/}
}

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

Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (EPA ID: CT0280011) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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