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Community Water System · PWS CT0170011

Bristol Water Department

Bristol, Connecticut 06010 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 52,079 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

52,079
People served
269
EPA violations
10
Health-based
2 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 269 drinking-water violations at Bristol Water Department, 4% of them health-based - above the Connecticut per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds.

269
Total EPA violations on record
4%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
52,079
People served by this system
2
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Bristol Water Department

Bristol Water Department is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 52,079 residents in Bristol, Connecticut (Hartford County) through 16,322 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 269 total violations for this system , of which 10 (4%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 241 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2025.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 10 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 2 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 4.1 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.

Across Connecticut, EPA tracks 2,332 public water systems serving 2,886,005 people, with 206,662 cumulative violations and 21,779 health-based violations on record. About 94% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 88.6 violations. Statewide, 40 of 63 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (63.5%).

Bristol Water Department's 269 violations sit above the Connecticut average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

PFAS Detected

2 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.

Population Served
52,079
Total Violations
269
Health-Based Violations
10
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
16,322
County
Hartford
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
10
Monitoring Violations
241
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 10 2005
Coliform (TCR) MR 9 2008
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 8 2025
Atrazine MR 7 2006
LASSO MR 7 2006
ETHYLENE DIBROMIDE MR 6 2006
1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE MR 6 2006
Arsenic MR 6 2019
Cadmium MR 6 2019
Chromium MR 6 2019
Mercury MR 6 2019
Selenium MR 6 2019
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 6 2019
Barium MR 6 2019
Fluoride MR 6 2019
CYANIDE MR 6 2019
Nitrate-Nitrite MR 4 2008
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 3 1993
Pentachlorophenol MR 3 2006
Total Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) MR 3 2006
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 3 1993
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 3 1993
Aldicarb MR 3 2006
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 3 1993
Vinyl chloride MR 3 1993
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 3 1993
Styrene MR 3 1993
Benzo(a)pyrene MR 3 2006
Dalapon MR 3 2006
Di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate MR 3 2006

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 3 of 290 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFBA 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/20/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/20/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/20/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/20/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/20/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/20/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/20/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/20/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/20/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Bristol Water Department.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID CT0170011 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Connecticut Drinking Water Authority

Connecticut's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find CT regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2025 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 8 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 7000
2019 Arsenic MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1005
2019 Cadmium MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1015
2019 Chromium MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1020
2019 Mercury MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1035
2019 Selenium MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1045
2019 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 2456
2019 Barium MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1010
2019 Fluoride MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1025
2019 CYANIDE MR 6 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1024
2019 Nickel MR 2 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1036
2019 Antimony, Total MR 2 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1074
2019 Thallium, Total MR 2 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1085
2019 Beryllium, Total MR 2 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 1075
2008 Coliform (TCR) MR 9 SDWIS / CT0170011 / 3100

How Bristol Water Department Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Bristol Water Department Connecticut avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 269 88.6 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 10 9.3 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 2 compounds 63.5% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 52,079 1,238 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 2,332 regulated public water systems in Connecticut.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds ▼
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristol Water Department water safe to drink? ▼
Bristol Water Department (PWS ID: CT0170011) has 269 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 52,079 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Bristol Water Department serve? ▼
Bristol Water Department serves 52,079 people in Bristol, Connecticut. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 16,322 service connections.
What type of violations does Bristol Water Department have? ▼
Bristol Water Department has 269 total violations: 10 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 241 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Bristol Water Department water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in Bristol Water Department's water supply: PFPeA, PFOA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Bristol Water Department use? ▼
Bristol Water Department uses Surface Water as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from? ▼
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.