Tap Water Results

Is New London, CT tap water safe?

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

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for New London Dept. of Public Utilities.

2 public water systems serve parts of New London. The largest, New London Dept. of Public Utilities, serves 27,620 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

New London Dept. of Public Utilities

27,620 people · Surface water · EPA ID CT0950011

Buys treated water from East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission.

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot 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.

Lead: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

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.

New London homes and lead pipes

83%
of homes built before 1980 (Connecticut 67%, US 50%)
53%
built before 1950 (Connecticut 27%)
64%
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 New London city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving New London

  • Waterford Wpca
    16,578 people · Purchased surface water · Connecticut · lists this city
    No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Norwich 15 mi
Norwich Public Utilities
Norwich Public UtilitiesAbove limit0 ppb
Middletown 33 mi
Middletown Water Department
Middletown Water DepartmentNone above limits0 ppb
Meriden 39 mi
Regional Water Authority
Regional Water AuthorityAbove limit0 ppb
Hartford 43 mi
Metropolitan District Commission
Metropolitan District CommissionNone above limits0 ppb
New Britain 43 mi
New Britain Water Department
New Britain Water DepartmentNone above limits0 ppb
New Haven 43 mi
Regional Water Authority
Regional Water AuthorityAbove limit0 ppb
New London ZIP codes (1)
  • 06320

Questions

Is New London tap water safe to drink?

New London Dept. of Public Utilities has had no health-based violations since 2016. 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 New London, CT?

2 public water systems serve parts of New London. The largest is New London Dept. of Public Utilities (27,620 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does New London tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. New London Dept. of Public Utilities had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do New London homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 83% of New London 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. New London Dept. of Public Utilities'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.