Connecticut
Connecticut sits in the Northeast and draws its water primarily from Connecticut River, reservoirs, and groundwater. With roughly 3.6 million residents, the state has minimal formal water reuse to date, reusing an estimated 4% of its treated wastewater.
Connecticutwater quality & safety
Top violation drivers in Connecticut
| Contaminant / rule | Systems |
|---|---|
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | 122 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | 66 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | 20 |
| Groundwater Rule | 20 |
| Coliform (TCR) | 8 |
| Arsenic | 6 |
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1 · health-based violations since 2016
Generally water-rich, with periodic regional shortfalls and PFAS detections driving treatment upgrades.
On the U.S. Drought Monitor scale, Connecticut currently tracks around abnormally dry to moderate conditions. Connecticut has 504 community water systems serving about 3 million people; EPA records show 192 of them (38.1%) with a health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016. The pages below break down the water issues that matter most here and the communities working on solutions.
Drought history — severe+ extent
% of Connecticut in severe drought or worse (D2+) each late summer.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC/UNL, USDA, NOAA) · latest 2026-06-09
Water use (USGS 2015)
- Per-capita (public supply)
- 88 gpcd
- Total withdrawals
- 3.1 Bgal/d
- From groundwater
- 20.8%
- Irrigation share
- 0.4%
- Wastewater reused (est.)
- ~4%
Primary water sources
- ≈ Connecticut River
- ≈ reservoirs
- ≈ groundwater
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Connecticut?
Connecticut has 504 community water systems serving about 3 million people. EPA records show 192 of them (38.1%) with at least one health-based Safe Drinking Water Act violation since 2016, and 8 system(s) over the federal lead action level. Most large systems meet standards; check your specific city and your utility's annual report.
What contaminants are most common in Connecticut's water?
The most frequent health-based violations involve LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS, Revised Total Coliform Rule, Lead and Copper Rule.
How much water does Connecticut use per person?
Public water systems in Connecticut withdraw about 88 gallons per person per day (USGS 2015), drawing 20.8% of fresh water from groundwater.
How bad is the drought in Connecticut?
As of 2026-06-09, 52% of Connecticut is in drought (D1+) and 0% is in severe drought or worse, per the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Cities in Connecticut
20 trackedBridgeport
Bridgeport, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
New Haven
New Haven, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Stamford
Stamford, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Hartford
Hartford, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
North Stamford
North Stamford, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Waterbury
Waterbury, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Norwalk
Norwalk, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Danbury
Danbury, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
East Norwalk
East Norwalk, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
New Britain
New Britain, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
West Hartford
West Hartford, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Bristol
Bristol, CT water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
Key issues in Connecticut
Aging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
ExplorePFAS Contamination
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances persist in water supplies for decades. New federal limits are forcing utilities nationwide to invest in advanced treatment.
Explore