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Community Water System · PWS CT0800011

Meriden Water Division

Meriden, Connecticut 06450 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 58,441 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

58,441
People served
119
EPA violations
20
Health-based
7 PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 119 drinking-water violations at Meriden Water Division, 17% of them health-based - above the Connecticut per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds.

119
Total EPA violations on record
17%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
58,441
People served by this system
7
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Meriden Water Division

Meriden Water Division is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 58,441 residents in Meriden, Connecticut (New Haven County) through 17,630 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 119 total violations for this system , of which 20 (17%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 82 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 Nitrite, recorded in 16 violations (MR). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 7 PFAS compounds were detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 9.5 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%).

Meriden Water Division's 119 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

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

Population Served
58,441
Total Violations
119
Health-Based Violations
20
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
17,630
County
New Haven
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
7
Monitoring Violations
82
Treatment Tech Violations
13

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Nitrite MR 16 2005
Nitrate MR 16 2005
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 14 2025
Lead and Copper Rule TT 11 1993
Lead and Copper Rule MR 10 2022
Coliform (TCR) MCL 4 1991
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 3 2018
1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 2 2005
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 2 2005
o-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 2005
Vinyl chloride MR 2 2005
1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 2 2005
1,2-Dichloroethane MR 2 2005
1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 2 2005
Carbon tetrachloride MR 2 2005
1,2-Dichloropropane MR 2 2005
Trichloroethylene MR 2 2005
1,1,2-Trichloroethane MR 2 2005
CHLOROBENZENE MR 2 2005
Benzene MR 2 2005
Toluene MR 2 2005
Ethylbenzene MR 2 2005
Styrene MR 2 2005
Groundwater Rule TT 2 2025
p-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 2005
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 2 2005
DICHLOROMETHANE MR 2 2005
Tetrachloroethylene MR 2 2005

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 12 of 547 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
NFDHA 7/26/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/26/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/26/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/26/2023 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/26/2023 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/26/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/26/2023 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/26/2023 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFEESA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/26/2023 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/26/2023 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/26/2023 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/26/2023 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/26/2023 <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 Meriden Water Division.

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 CT0800011 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 14 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 7000
2025 Groundwater Rule TT 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 0700
2022 Lead and Copper Rule MR 10 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 5000
2018 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL 3 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2456
2005 Nitrite MR 16 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 1041
2005 Nitrate MR 16 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 1040
2005 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2378
2005 cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2380
2005 o-Dichlorobenzene MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2968
2005 Vinyl chloride MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2976
2005 1,1-Dichloroethylene MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2977
2005 1,2-Dichloroethane MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2980
2005 1,1,1-Trichloroethane MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2981
2005 Carbon tetrachloride MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2982
2005 1,2-Dichloropropane MR 2 SDWIS / CT0800011 / 2983

How Meriden Water Division Compares

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

Metric Meriden Water Division Connecticut avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 119 88.6 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 20 9.3 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection 7 compounds 63.5% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 58,441 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 Meriden Water Division water safe to drink? ▼
Meriden Water Division (PWS ID: CT0800011) has 119 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 7 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 58,441 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does Meriden Water Division serve? ▼
Meriden Water Division serves 58,441 people in Meriden, Connecticut. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 17,630 service connections.
What type of violations does Meriden Water Division have? ▼
Meriden Water Division has 119 total violations: 20 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 82 monitoring/reporting violations, and 13 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Meriden Water Division water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 7 PFAS compounds in Meriden Water Division's water supply: PFBS, PFBA, PFOS, PFOA, PFHxA, and others. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does Meriden Water Division use? ▼
Meriden Water Division 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.