What was found in Bethel's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 3900 µg/L 39% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 3900 µg/L 39% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 950 µg/L 24% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 650 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 220 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 217 µg/L 271% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 195 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 155 µg/L 258% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 60 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 81 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 80 µg/L 8% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 74 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 30 µg/L 200% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 23.6 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 19.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 13.3355 µg/L 44% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 10.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 7.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 3.77 pCi/L 25% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 2.9 µg/L 5.8% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.7 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.52 pCi/L 30% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 1.5 µg/L 25% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Beryllium, Total | 1 µg/L 25% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 1 µg/L 0.5% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 0.8000 µg/L 0.8% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Methoxychlor | 0.2200 µg/L 0.5% of the EPA limit 40 µg/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| PFOA | 0.0059 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/4 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0043 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/4 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0036 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/4 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0034 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/4 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.000050 mg/L 0.3% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 4/4 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Bethel
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| DANBURY WATER DEPARTMENT | 62,055 |
| BETHEL WATER DEPT | 9,507 |
| AQUARION-BERKSHIRE | 75 |
| ELMWOOD COURT, LLC | 54 |
Frequently asked questions about Bethel tap water
Is Bethel tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Bethel. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Bethel?
4 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bethel, Connecticut to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Bethel's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bethel include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, Copper, Barium. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.