01The verdict: is Durham water safe?
Durham's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 2,024 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
119 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓98 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Durham's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 2,024 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 664 violations on record, including 46 health-based violations. 119 remain unresolved.
Durham ranks #86 out of 129 cities in Connecticut for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, Durham may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 98 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Durham's water
Every contaminant flagged in Durham, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Connecticut
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Connecticut
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Durham's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 664 violations on record, including 46 health-based violations. 119 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 25 ppb since 2000. Latest reading: 1.4 ppb (2025) — 9% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Durham's water comes from
Durham's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
7 systems
7 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,024 people
Residents served across Durham's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,024 people through 7 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DURHAM CENTER DIVISION | CT0380021 | 1,601 | Purchased Surface Water |
| YESHIVA OF WATERBURY-DURHAM CAMPUS | CT0380041 | 490 | Groundwater |
| BLUE TRAILS WATER ASSOCIATION | CT0990011 | 228 | Groundwater |
| TWIN MAPLES NURSING HOME | CT0381011 | 100 | Groundwater |
| DURHAM ELDERLY HOUSING DIVISION | CT0380641 | 50 | Groundwater |
| DURHAM LEXINGTON PLACE DIVISION | CT0380651 | 45 | Groundwater |
| OLD INDIAN TRAIL | CT0820501 | 32 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Durham
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Durham's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Durham's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 1k lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Durham compares
Scores for nearby Connecticut cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Connecticut average (72/100)
Durham scores 49/100 — below the Connecticut average of 72/100. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. Full Connecticut rankings →
82.4 / 100CBethany, CT
55.8 / 100ABranford, CT
85.4 / 100FCheshire, CT
35.5 / 100BDerby, CT
80.2 / 100AEast Haven, CT
85.4 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Durham's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Durham's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Durham alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Durham, CT tap water safe to drink?
Durham's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #86 out of 129 cities tested in Connecticut.
What contaminants are in Durham's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 664 violations are on record.
How is Durham's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Durham?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Durham's water come from?
Durham's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 7 water systems serving approximately 2,024 residents.
What health violations has Durham's water system had?
Durham has 46 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 119 violations remain unresolved.
How does Durham's water compare to other cities?
Durham ranks #86 out of 129 cities in Connecticut (better than 33% of state cities) and #13094 out of 15382 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.