01The verdict: is New Fairfield water safe?
New Fairfield's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 13 water systems serve approximately 880 residents using groundwater (wells).
126 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 2.8 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓117 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 ↓New Fairfield's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 13 water systems serve approximately 880 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.8 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 791 violations on record, including 56 health-based violations. 126 remain unresolved.
New Fairfield ranks #83 out of 129 cities in Connecticut for water quality, placing it below average in the state. New Fairfield relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, New Fairfield may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 117 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in New Fairfield's water
Every contaminant flagged in New Fairfield, 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. | 2.8 | 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
03New Fairfield'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 791 violations on record, including 56 health-based violations. 126 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 15 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 2.7 ppb (2025) — 18% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where New Fairfield's water comes from
New Fairfield's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
13 systems
13 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
880 people
Residents served across New Fairfield's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 880 people through 13 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANDLEWOOD SHORES TAX DISTRICT | CT0180061 | 1,315 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-BALL POND | CT0910011 | 629 | Groundwater |
| CANDLEWOOD KNOLLS WATER AUTHORITY | CT0910591 | 524 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-NEW FAIRFIELD | CT0915221 | 406 | Groundwater |
| KNOLLCREST TAX DISTRICT | CT0910081 | 356 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-TIMBER TRAILS | CT1270021 | 310 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-POSSUM RIDGE | CT0910041 | 307 | Groundwater |
| ARROWHEAD POINT HOMEOWNERS ASSN INC. | CT0180091 | 296 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-OAKWOOD ACRES | CT0910031 | 286 | Groundwater |
| CANDLEWOOD ORCHARDS PROPERTY OWNERS CORP | CT0180181 | 144 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-FIELDSTONE RIDGE | CT0910021 | 84 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-BIRCHES | CT0911091 | 66 | Groundwater |
| AQUARION-INTERLAKEN | CT0911061 | 64 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near New Fairfield
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05How New Fairfield compares
Scores for nearby Connecticut cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Connecticut average (72/100)
New Fairfield scores 50/100 — 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.→
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in New Fairfield's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
New Fairfield'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 New Fairfield 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 New Fairfield, CT tap water safe to drink?
New Fairfield's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #83 out of 129 cities tested in Connecticut.
What contaminants are in New Fairfield's water?
Lead was measured at 2.8 ppb (90th percentile). 791 violations are on record.
How is New Fairfield'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 New Fairfield?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Fairfield's water come from?
New Fairfield's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 13 water systems serving approximately 880 residents.
What health violations has New Fairfield's water system had?
New Fairfield has 56 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 126 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Fairfield's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Fairfield uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 791 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does New Fairfield's water compare to other cities?
New Fairfield ranks #83 out of 129 cities in Connecticut (better than 36% of state cities) and #12925 out of 15382 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.