What was found in Columbia'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 | 1500 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 1500 µg/L 15% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1140 µg/L 88% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 800 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 24 µg/L 160% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 4/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 10.5 µg/L 35% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 10 µg/L 0.5% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 5.1 pCi/L 34% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 3/4 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 3.4 pCi/L 68% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 1/4 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 1.9 µg/L 32% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 1 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 2/4 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0084 mg/L 56% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 4/4 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Columbia
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| HILLSIDE CONDOMINIUMS | 96 |
| CTWC - COLUMBIA HEIGHTS DIV. | 32 |
| WOODLAND TERRACE | 27 |
| DARTMOUTH VILLAGE ELDERLY HOUSING | 25 |
Frequently asked questions about Columbia tap water
Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 12 contaminants in the water serving Columbia. 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 Columbia?
4 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Columbia, Connecticut to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Columbia's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Columbia include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, Lead. 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.