What was found in Old Lyme'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 | 7000 µg/L 70% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 10/10 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 6850 µg/L 69% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 10/10 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1920 µg/L 148% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 10/10 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 220 µg/L 5.5% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 177 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 2/10 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 94 µg/L 4.7% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 8/10 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 48.9 µg/L 61% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L | 4/10 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 40 µg/L 4% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 6/10 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 38.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 36 µg/L 60% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 4/10 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 28.8 µg/L 192% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 10/10 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 26 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/10 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 12 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/10 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 9.32 µg/L 31% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 8.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 7.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Styrene | 6.4 µg/L 6.4% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/10 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 6.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 6/10 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 3.8 pCi/L 76% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 7/10 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 3.64 pCi/L 24% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 5/10 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 3.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/10 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/10 | SYR4 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.6000 µg/L 8.6% of the EPA limit 7 µg/L | 1/10 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 0.5100 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/10 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 0.5000 µg/L 5% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/10 | SYR4 |
| Asbestos | 0.1600 MFL 2.3% of the EPA limit 7 MFL | 2/10 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0050 mg/L 33% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 10/10 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Old Lyme
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| CTWC - SHORELINE REGION-SOUND VIEW | 3,397 |
| CTWC - SHORELINE REGION-POINT O WOODS | 1,068 |
| CHADWICK HOMEOWNERS ASSN., INC. | 292 |
| RYE FIELD MANOR ELDERLY HOUSING | 78 |
| MILE CREEK APARTMENTS | 60 |
| LYMEWOOD ELDERLY HOUSING | 50 |
| LYME ACADEMY APARTMENTS,LLC | 48 |
| LAUREL HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION, INC. | 45 |
| LYME REGIS, INC. | 32 |
| BOXWOOD CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION | 28 |
Frequently asked questions about Old Lyme tap water
Is Old Lyme tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 27 contaminants in the water serving Old Lyme. 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 Old Lyme?
10 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Old Lyme, Connecticut to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Old Lyme's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Old Lyme include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, Gross Beta Particle Activity. 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.