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
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Colchester Sewer & Water Commission Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade D
Service Area Demographics
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.
๐ง Where Does Your Water Come From?
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.
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
Detected Contaminants
How Colchester Sewer & Water Commission compares to EPA limits
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).
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter โComparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Connecticut
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
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
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 FilterFree 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.
- 06415 - Colchester
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.
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, 2023โ2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program โ
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Colchester Sewer and Water Commission: 13 EPA Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0280011/
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title = {{Colchester Sewer and Water Commission: 13 EPA Violations}},
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ct0280011/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter โ
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report โ
Contact your utility
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (EPA ID: CT0280011) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.