What was found in Colchester'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 | 2100 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 2100 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 1430 µg/L 36% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 1180 µg/L 1475% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1170 µg/L 90% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 590 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 590 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 170 µg/L 1133% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 28 µg/L 47% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 26 µg/L 1.3% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 8/8 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 24 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 19 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 10 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 9.8 µg/L 33% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 7.73 pCi/L 52% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 6.8 pCi/L 136% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 5 pCi/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 6 µg/L 12% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 4.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 3 µg/L 30% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 2.62 µg/L 44% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 2/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 1.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 1.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 1 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.7800 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 0.6300 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Benzo(A)Pyrene | 0.1600 µg/L 80% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Simazine | 0.0500 µg/L 1.3% of the EPA limit 4 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| PFOS | 0.0090 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0047 mg/L 31% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 8/8 | LCR |
| PFHXS | 0.0036 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
Water suppliers serving Colchester
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| COLCHESTER SEWER & WATER COMMISSION | 4,020 |
| CTWC - AMSTON LAKE DIVISION | 910 |
| COLCHESTER ESTATES | 276 |
| CTWC - WESTCHESTER VILLAGE | 252 |
| WESTCHESTER HILLS CONDOMINIUM ASSN. | 225 |
| COLCHESTER COMMONS | 224 |
| KNOB HILL CONDOMINIUMS | 84 |
| CTWC - PONEMAH VILLAGE | 60 |
Frequently asked questions about Colchester tap water
Is Colchester tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Colchester. 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 Colchester?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Colchester, Connecticut to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Colchester's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Colchester include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Fluoride, TTHM, Copper. 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.