Is Danbury, CT tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Danbury Water Department, the largest system here, had PFAS above the 2024 federal limits (PFOA) in EPA's 2023–2025 testing.

Is it an emergency? No: PFAS limits are about years of exposure, not a glass of water, and nothing in EPA's data calls for you to stop drinking the water today. If your utility issues a boil-water or do-not-drink notice, follow it.

16 public water systems serve parts of Danbury. The largest, Danbury Water Department, serves 62,055 people, and 2 systems here had PFAS above a federal limit. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Danbury Water Department

62,055 people · Surface water · EPA ID CT0340011

Buys treated water from Aquarion-Berkshire.

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Above limit	4.53 ppt	4 ppt	Above limit
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

For context: the PFOA average is higher than at 61% of the Connecticut systems EPA tested.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Nov 2026, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Full Danbury Water Department results

Across Connecticut, 29 of 62 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 1 system were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Connecticut results.

Danbury homes and lead pipes

57%

of homes built before 1980 (Connecticut 67%, US 50%)

20%

built before 1950 (Connecticut 27%)

46%

of households rent (Connecticut 34%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Danbury city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Danbury

Bethel Water Dept
9,507 people · Surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
PFOA above limitAlso: Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violations
Lake Waubeeka Association
712 people · Groundwater under influence of surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aqua Vista Association, Inc
388 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aquarion-Indian Spring
242 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aquarion-Hollandale Estates
200 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Hawthorne Terrace Association
156 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

9 more systems

Aquarion-Ken Oaks
152 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Snug Harbor Development Corp Water System
144 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aquarion-Pearce Manor
133 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation
Shady Acres Mobile Home Park Water System
117 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Danbury Water Dept-Ridgeview Gardens
116 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Aquarion-Rolling Ridge
115 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Cornell Hills Association, Inc
108 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
Aquarion-Fieldstone Ridge
84 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Cedar Terrace Property Owners Association
66 people · Groundwater · Connecticut · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violation

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS
Shelton 19 mi Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	None above limits
Bridgeport 21 mi Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	None above limits
Norwalk 21 mi Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	None above limits
Stamford 22 mi Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County	None above limits
Naugatuck 23 mi Connecticut Water Company – Naugatuck Region-Central System	Connecticut Water Company – Naugatuck Region-Central System	None above limits
Milford 25 mi Regional Water Authority	Regional Water Authority	Above limit

Danbury ZIP codes (2)

06810
06811

Questions

Is Danbury tap water safe to drink?

Danbury Water Department had 1 health-based violation since 2016, and EPA testing found PFAS above the 2024 federal limits, which it must meet by 2029. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Danbury, CT?

16 public water systems serve parts of Danbury. The largest is Danbury Water Department (62,055 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Danbury tap water have PFAS?

Yes. EPA's 2023–2025 testing found entry-point averages above the 2024 federal limits for PFOA at Danbury Water Department. Systems have until 2029 to meet them.

Do Danbury homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 57% of Danbury homes as built before 1980 (Connecticut: 67%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Danbury Water Department's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.