Water Quality: Old Lyme, CT
5 water systems • 477 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Old Lyme is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 477 people, and has 575 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 23 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Old Lyme's violation count is 128% above the national average for Connecticut. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Old Lyme
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHADWICK HOMEOWNERS ASSN., INC. | CT1050011 | Groundwater | 292 | 18 |
| MILE CREEK APARTMENTS | CT1050131 | Groundwater | 60 | 32 |
| LYMEWOOD ELDERLY HOUSING | CT1056221 | Groundwater | 50 | 11 |
| LAUREL HEIGHTS ASSOCIATION, INC. | CT1056231 | Groundwater | 45 | 30 |
| 31 GRIST MILL RD | CT0419221 | Groundwater | 30 | 484 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Connecticut
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.