Water Quality Report · Updated October 07, 2026
WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT
WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water graded C (66/100) by TapWaterSafety.org. The utility serves approximately 107,271 residents in MIDDLEBURY, Connecticut using surface water. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline; Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline. For questions, the utility can be reached at 203-574-8251.
Is MIDDLEBURY tap water safe to drink?
WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT delivers tap water that earns a grade of C (66/100) from TapWaterSafety.org — an average rating, with several contaminants above health guidelines but generally compliant with US legal limits.
The utility serves 107,271 residents in MIDDLEBURY and 4 other communities, drawing from surface water.
Public testing data identifies 8 contaminants in this water above EWG's health-based guidelines, including: Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Chloroform, 1,2,3-Trichloropropane, Bromodichloromethane, Cadmium, 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.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT (system ID CT1510011) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Other (e.g. public notice) | 07/01/2024 | Resolved |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Missed testing or reporting | 12/30/2025 | Resolved |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Quick actions for MIDDLEBURY residents
Top concerns in this water
Based on the most recent EPA and EWG data, these are the most significant water quality issues for WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 43.5 ppb, 725x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA5) detected at 43.4 ppb, 434x above the EWG health guideline of 0.1 ppb.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal trihalomethanes (TTHMs) detected at 45.4 ppb, 303x above the EWG health guideline of 0.15 ppb.
Contact WATERBURY 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 MIDDLEBURY
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in this water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
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 66/100 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
43.5 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 725× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) Disinfection byproduct |
43.4 ppb | 0.1 | 60.0 | 60 | — | — | — | 434× over |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) Disinfection byproduct |
45.4 ppb | 0.15 | 80.0 | 100 | — | — | — | 303× over |
| Chloroform Disinfection byproduct |
37.1 ppb | 0.4 | — | — | — | — | — | 93× over |
| 1,2,3-Trichloropropane Other |
0.0556 ppb | 0.0007 | — | — | — | — | — | 79× over |
| Bromodichloromethane Disinfection byproduct |
4.3 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 72× over |
| Cadmium Heavy metal |
0.222 ppb | 0.04 | 5.0 | 5 | 3 | 0.04 | — | 5.6× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.0398 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 2.0× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
159.0 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
0.13 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite Inorganic |
0.0233 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrate Inorganic |
0.0224 ppm | 0.14 | 10.0 | 11.3 | 11.3 | 10 | — | Below guideline |
| Manganese Heavy metal |
6.4 ppb | 100.0 | — | 50 | 80 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Chloromethane Other |
0.0556 ppb | 2.69 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| 1,1-Dichloroethane Volatile organic compound |
0.0556 ppb | 3.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
6.67 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Vanadium Other |
0.095 ppb | 21.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) PFAS |
0.133 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.0362 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Bromomethane Other |
0.0556 ppb | — | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.21 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| n-Propylbenzene Volatile organic compound |
0.1 ppb | — | — | 1 | 10 | 0.15 | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrite Inorganic |
0.00122 ppm | — | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | 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.
WATERBURY WATER DEPARTMENT service area
This water system serves 5 communities in New Haven County, Connecticut. Click any city for its dedicated tap water quality page.
Find the right filter for MIDDLEBURY water
Browse filter categories by water-quality concern. Each option below is NSF-certified for the matched contaminant type.