Water Quality Report · Updated May 12, 2026
NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT
NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water graded C (67/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 73,534 residents in BERLIN, Connecticut using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 860-826-3535.
Is BERLIN tap water safe to drink?
NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (67/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 73,534 residents in BERLIN and 5 other communities, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 10 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Bromodichloromethane, Chloroform, Dichloroacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Dibromochloromethane, Dibromoacetic acid, Chromium (hexavalent). For most residents, a properly certified home filter at the kitchen tap is the most cost-effective way to reduce exposure to whatever's in your water. See our filter recommendations below, matched specifically to this utility's contaminant profile.
Quick actions for BERLIN residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 38.9 ppb, 259x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 12.0 ppb, 200x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 10.3 ppb, 103x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Contact NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT
Reach the utility directly for service issues, water quality concerns, or to request your Consumer Confidence Report.
General Contact
Treatment Plant
Recommended water filters for BERLIN
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Carbon block (NSF/ANSI 42 + 53)
$40-$750Activated carbon is highly effective for disinfection byproducts like TTHM and HAA5.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
Score breakdown
This utility's overall score of 67/100 breaks down across five weighted components. Read the full methodology →
Contaminants detected — international standards comparison
Every contaminant detected, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal (the strictest US benchmark). Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
38.9 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 259× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
12.0 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 200× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
10.3 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 103× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
5.51 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 92× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
31.9 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 80× over |
| Dichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
7.25 ppb | 0.2 | — | — | — | — | — | 36× over |
| Trichloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
2.25 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 23× over |
| Dibromochloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
1.25 ppb | 0.1 | — | — | — | — | — | 12× over |
| Dibromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.0886 ppb | 0.03 | — | — | — | — | — | 3.0× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0296 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 1.5× over |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
0.114 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
124.3 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.027 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
17.9 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
1.75 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.639 ppb | 53.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Monobromoacetic acid Disinfection byproduct |
0.035 ppb | 25.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.0288 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0601 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Bromide Other |
13.6 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.182 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines (4th ed.), California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
NEW BRITAIN WATER DEPARTMENT service area
This water system serves 6 communities in Hartford County, Connecticut. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for BERLIN water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.