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Community Water System · PWS CT0450011

East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission

Niantic, Connecticut 06357 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 15,245 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

15,245
People served
532
EPA violations
24
Health-based
6 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 532 drinking-water violations at East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission, 5% of them health-based - above the Connecticut per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 6 PFAS compounds.

532
Total EPA violations on record
5%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
15,245
People served by this system
6
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission

East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 15,245 residents in Niantic, Connecticut (New London County) through 6,119 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 532 total violations for this system , of which 24 (5%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 499 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2024.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 24 violations (MCL, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 6 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 9.2 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%).

East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission's 532 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

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

Population Served
15,245
Total Violations
532
Health-Based Violations
24
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
6,119
County
New London
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
24
Monitoring Violations
499
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 24 2011
Vinyl chloride MR 17 2021
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 15 2021
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 15 2021
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 15 2021
CHLOROBENZENE MR 15 2021
Benzene MR 15 2021
Ethylbenzene MR 15 2021
Styrene MR 15 2021
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 15 2021
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 15 2021
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 15 2021
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 15 2021
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 15 2021
Carbon tetrachloride MR 15 2021
Trichloroethylene MR 15 2021
Tetrachloroethylene MR 15 2021
Toluene MR 15 2021
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 15 2021
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 15 2021
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 15 2021
Lead and Copper Rule MR 13 2016
Gross Beta Particle Activity MR 8 2007
ManMade Beta Particle and Photon Emitter MR 8 2007
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 8 2024
TTHM MR 8 2024
E. COLI MR 6 2018
Chlorine MR 6 2018
Coliform (TCR) MR 5 2004
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 5 2020

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 18 of 406 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
NMeFOSAA 9/19/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 9/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 9/19/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/19/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 9/19/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 9/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 9/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 9/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 9/19/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 9/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/19/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/19/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 9/19/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 8/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/13/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/13/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 8/13/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 8/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 8/13/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 8/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 8/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 8/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 8/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 8/13/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 8/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 8/13/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 8/13/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 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 East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission.

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 CT0450011 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
2024 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MR 8 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2456
2024 TTHM MR 8 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2950
2021 Vinyl chloride MR 17 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2976
2021 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2378
2021 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2380
2021 DICHLOROMETHANE MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2964
2021 CHLOROBENZENE MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2989
2021 Benzene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2990
2021 Ethylbenzene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2992
2021 Styrene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2996
2021 p-Dichlorobenzene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2969
2021 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2977
2021 trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2979
2021 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2983
2021 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 15 SDWIS / CT0450011 / 2980

How East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission Compares

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

Metric East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission Connecticut avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 532 88.6 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 24 9.3 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 6 compounds 63.5% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 15,245 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 East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission water safe to drink?
East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission (PWS ID: CT0450011) has 532 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 6 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 15,245 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission serve?
East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission serves 15,245 people in Niantic, Connecticut. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 6,119 service connections.
What type of violations does East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission have?
East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission has 532 total violations: 24 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 499 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission water?
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 6 PFAS compounds in East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission's water supply: PFPeA, PFOS, PFOA, PFBS, PFHxA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission use?
East Lyme Water & Sewer Commission 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.
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.