PlainWater
States → Connecticut

PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT

PWS ID: CT1130011 · PORTLAND, Connecticut 06480

PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT serves 5,010 people in PORTLAND, Connecticut using Surface Water water sources. It has 65 recorded EPA violations, including 24 health-based violations. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in UCMR5 testing (2 compounds found).

Water Quality Snapshot: PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT

PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 5,010 residents in PORTLAND, Connecticut (Middlesex County) through 2,322 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 65 total violations for this system , of which 24 (37%) are health-based — meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 16 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2022.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Coliform (TCR), recorded in 20 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 0.0036 ppt. 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. PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT's 65 violations sit below the Connecticut average. Statewide, 40 of 63 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (63.5%). 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
5,010
Total Violations
65
Health-Based Violations
24
Water Source
Surface Water

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
2,322
County
Middlesex
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
20
Monitoring Violations
16
Treatment Tech Violations
4

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Coliform (TCR) MCL 20 2008
Lead and Copper Rule MR 10 2022
Coliform (TCR) MR 6 2007
Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 2018
Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 4 1992

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 6 of 120 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFBS 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
4:2 FTS 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBA 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
HFPO-DA 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
ADONA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
6:2 FTS 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 9/27/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 9/27/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 9/27/2023 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDoA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 9/27/2023 0.0031 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Detected
8:2 FTS 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 9/27/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 9/27/2023 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 9/27/2023 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 9/27/2023 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 9/27/2023 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 9/27/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 9/27/2023 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpS 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeS 9/27/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NFDHA 9/27/2023 <0.02 µg/L 0.02 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 9/27/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeA 9/27/2023 0.0034 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Detected
NEtFOSAA 9/27/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 8/14/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxA 8/14/2023 0.0030 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Detected
PFDoA 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFDA 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFOA 8/14/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 8/14/2023 <0.006 µg/L 0.006 µg/L Not Detected
PFNA 8/14/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFUnA 8/14/2023 <0.002 µg/L 0.002 µg/L Not Detected
PFTrDA 8/14/2023 <0.007 µg/L 0.007 µg/L Not Detected
PFOS 8/14/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
lithium 8/14/2023 <9 µg/L 9 µg/L Not Detected
PFHxS 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFHpA 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFBS 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFTA 8/14/2023 <0.008 µg/L 0.008 µg/L Not Detected
PFMPA 8/14/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
PFPeS 8/14/2023 <0.004 µg/L 0.004 µg/L Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 8/14/2023 <0.005 µg/L 0.005 µg/L Not Detected
PFEESA 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L Not Detected
PFMBA 8/14/2023 <0.003 µg/L 0.003 µg/L 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 PORTLAND 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 CT1130011 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
2022 Lead and Copper Rule MR 10 SDWIS / CT1130011 / 5000
2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Other 6 SDWIS / CT1130011 / 7000
2008 Coliform (TCR) MCL 20 SDWIS / CT1130011 / 3100
2007 Coliform (TCR) MR 6 SDWIS / CT1130011 / 3100
1992 Surface Water Treatment Rule TT 4 SDWIS / CT1130011 / 0200

How PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT Compares

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

Metric PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT Connecticut avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 65 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 2 compounds 63.5% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 5,010 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
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT water safe to drink? ▼
PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT (PWS ID: CT1130011) has 65 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. PFAS contamination has been detected in UCMR5 testing, with 2 PFAS compounds found. This system serves 5,010 people using Surface Water sources.
How many people does PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT serve? ▼
PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT serves 5,010 people in PORTLAND, Connecticut. It is a Local-owned system using Surface Water water sources with 2,322 service connections.
What type of violations does PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT have? ▼
PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT has 65 total violations: 24 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 16 monitoring/reporting violations, and 4 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT water? ▼
Yes. UCMR5 testing detected 2 PFAS compounds in PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT's water supply: PFHxA, PFPeA. PFAS are persistent "forever chemicals" that do not break down in the environment.
What water source does PORTLAND WATER DEPARTMENT use? ▼
PORTLAND 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.

Explore PlainWater

Water in Connecticut

All systems in state
All States

Water quality by state
Contaminants

PFAS & other pollutants
Guides

Understanding water quality

Related Data for Connecticut

Environmental Data → Natural Hazards → Air Quality → Healthcare Access → Climate Data →
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.

Related

Browse all → | Rankings →
Data sourced from $official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial