Connecticut Water Quality Report 2026
Connecticut tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 7 water systems serving 823,779 residents. The average PurityMap score is 80.6/100 (Grade: B), which is 2.7 points above the national average.
- 5 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
- 7 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Connecticut water is generally good quality. A carbon pitcher or faucet filter removes chlorine taste and provides extra protection. No major filtration investment is needed for most residents.
Soft
Connecticut is 2.7 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 3.0 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.
Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Hardness | Lead | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | 77/100 | 3.5 GPG | 6.5 ppb | Lead (6.5 ppb) |
| 2 | Waterbury | 77/100 | 3.0 GPG | 6.0 ppb | Lead (6.0 ppb) |
| 3 | Hartford | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG | 4.5 ppb | Lead 4.5 ppb |
| 4 | New Haven | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG | 5.8 ppb | Lead (5.8 ppb) |
| 5 | Stamford | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG | 5.2 ppb | Lead (5.2 ppb) |
| 6 | Norwalk | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG | 5.0 ppb | Lead (5.0 ppb) |
| 7 | Danbury | 82/100 | 3.4 GPG | 4.8 ppb | Lead 4.8 ppb |
How Connecticut's 7 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:
Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.
| City | Population | Score | Hardness | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | 145K | 77/100 | 3.5 GPG | Lead |
| Stamford | 135K | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG | Lead |
| New Haven | 130K | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG | Lead |
| Hartford | 121K | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG | — |
| Waterbury | 114K | 77/100 | 3.0 GPG | Lead |
| Norwalk | 91K | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG | Lead |
| Danbury | 87K | 82/100 | 3.4 GPG | — |
Connecticut generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 3.3 GPG (Soft). Most residents do not need a softener.
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Connecticut cities in our database as of 2026.
5 cities in Connecticut have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: Bridgeport at 6.5 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: Bridgeport, Waterbury, New Haven, Stamford, Norwalk.
Where Connecticut gets its drinking water, based on 7 water systems.
| Source Type | Cities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 7 | 100% |
5 cities have elevated lead. NSF 53 under-sink filter or RO recommended.
| # | City | Pop. | Score | Hardness | Lead | PFAS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgeport | 145K | 77/100 | 3.5 GPG (Soft) | 6.5 ppb | ✅ No | 120 ppm |
| 2 | Waterbury | 114K | 77/100 | 3.0 GPG (Soft) | 6.0 ppb | ✅ No | 105 ppm |
| 3 | Hartford | 121K | 82/100 | 2.8 GPG (Soft) | 4.5 ppb | ✅ No | 95 ppm |
| 4 | New Haven | 130K | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG (Soft) | 5.8 ppb | ✅ No | 110 ppm |
| 5 | Stamford | 135K | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG (Moderate) | 5.2 ppb | ✅ No | 130 ppm |
| 6 | Norwalk | 91K | 82/100 | 3.2 GPG (Soft) | 5.0 ppb | ✅ No | 110 ppm |
| 7 | Danbury | 87K | 82/100 | 3.4 GPG (Soft) | 4.8 ppb | ✅ No | 115 ppm |
Connecticut has 6 utilities. Major: Aquarion Water Company, South Central CT Regional Water Authority, Metropolitan District Commission, Waterbury Water Bureau, South Norwalk Electric and Water.
Sources: Saugatuck Reservoir, Lake Whitney and Lake Gaillard, MDC Reservoir system, Laurel Reservoir, Wigwam Reservoir.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
- EWG Tap Water Database
- State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- USGS regional water monitoring data
PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.
7 city water quality reports available for Connecticut.
Danbury Water Quality Report
Hartford Water Quality Report
New Haven Water Quality Report
Norwalk Water Quality Report
Stamford Water Quality Report
Waterbury Water Quality Report
Compare water quality reports across all 50 US states