WaterVerge

Is Sheffield, CT Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

987 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MA1267000
Overall Score
91.2 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#4 of 158 in Connecticut Top 12% nationally
Private
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.2/100
waterverge.com
A 91.2/100

Sheffield, CT — Water Quality Report

Sheffield's drinking water received a grade of A (91.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 987 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Sheffield's water

Sheffield ranks #4 out of 158 cities in Connecticut for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Sheffield 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, Sheffield may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sheffield, CT water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Sheffield's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 987 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.1 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Sheffield

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sheffield's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Sheffield's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.1 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sheffield's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MCLOther
Most recent violations:
Nov 2012 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jun 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2001 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Where does Sheffield's water come from?

Sheffield's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 987 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Rooster River (river), Mill River (river), Sasco Brook (river), Aspetuck River (river).

What Sheffield residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.1 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

5
Total violations
3
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Nov 2012
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

5 Total
2 Active
3 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2001 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Nov 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 2012
Jul 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 2009
Jun 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2009

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.1 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 1.9 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2024 (1.1 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Private
Population Served
987
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sheffield's water comes from

Groundwater

Sheffield's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

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 private ownership and serves approximately 987 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sheffield

Sheffield is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Rooster River
river
Mill River
river
Sasco Brook
river
Aspetuck River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sheffield

System Name PWSID Population Source
AQUARION WATER COMPANY MA1267000 987 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sheffield compares

Full Connecticut rankings →

Sheffield's score of 91.2/100 is above the average of 47/100 among major Connecticut cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Sheffield (this city)
91.2
Ansonia
49.4
Ansonia
33.5
Ansonia
34.5
Berlin
41
Connecticut avg
47
City Profile

About Sheffield, CT

Wikipedia →

Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut and the fifth-most populous city in New England, with a population of 148,654 in 2020. Located in eastern Fairfield County at the mouth of the Pequonnock River on Long Island Sound, it is a port city 60 miles (97 km) from Manhattan and 40 miles (64 km) from The Bronx. It borders the towns of Trumbull to the north, Fairfield to the west, and Stratford to the east. Bridgeport and other towns in Fairfield County make up the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, as well as the Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk–Danbury metropolitan statistical area, the second largest metropolitan area in Connecticut. The Bridgeport–Stamford–Norwalk–Danbury metropolis forms part of the New York metropolitan area.

Economic Profile
$54,440
Median Income
$223,581
Median Home Value
$1,369/mo
Median Rent
9.5%
Unemployment
Community
37.5
Median Age
3,568
People / sq mi
24.7%
College Educated
45.2%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Sheffield, CT tap water safe to drink?

Sheffield's water quality earned a grade of A (91.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #4 out of 158 cities tested in Connecticut.

What contaminants are in Sheffield's water?

Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Sheffield'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 Sheffield?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Sheffield's water come from?

Sheffield's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 987 residents.

What health violations has Sheffield's water system had?

Sheffield has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Sheffield's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Sheffield 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 5 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 Sheffield's water compare to other cities?

Sheffield ranks #4 out of 158 cities in Connecticut (better than 97% of state cities) and #1833 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sheffield's small water system affect quality?

Sheffield's system serves approximately 987 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 5 violations on record.