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Colchester, CT Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Colchester, CT — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Colchester's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Colchester Sewer & Water Commission PWSID: CT0280011 Updated: 2026 Q2
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PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 4 sampling points

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 2.03 times the limit.

D

Colchester earns a D for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: not detected
PFAS above the federal limit at 2 of 4 sampling points
24 violations since 2015, 0 health-based
No violations currently open
Colchester's lead level vs. all Connecticut community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than % of Connecticut utilities
Population Served
4951
~2109 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
24 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
0% of EPA action level
Not detected
Action level: 15 ppb
Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2026 Archived
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2025 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2024 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2024 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2024 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2024 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2023 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2022 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2020 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2020 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2019 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2019 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2018 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2018 Resolved
E. COLI MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2018 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2018 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

24 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Colchester Sewer & Water Commission
PWSID CT0280011
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 4,951
Service connections 2,109
Systems serving this area 10
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colchester tap water safe to drink? ▼
It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 4 sampling points. No violations are currently open.
Does Colchester water have PFAS? ▼
Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 2 of 4 sampling points, running as high as 2.03 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.
Who supplies water to Colchester? ▼
Colchester Sewer & Water Commission (PWSID CT0280011), one of 10 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-11-21. Inspectors recorded 2 significant deficiencies.

What Should Colchester Residents Do?

1
Consider a reverse-osmosis filter
Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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