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WaterSafeCheck

ZIP Code 06156 Water Quality Report

Hartford, CT · Hartford County County

Safety Score
A

Water Safety Grade

Excellent — Meets all EPA standards

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

1

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 06156

Tap water in ZIP code 06156 (Hartford, CT) is among the safest in the country. Served by Metropolitan District Commission, this area earned a water safety grade of A with a composite score of 93/100 — indicating full regulatory compliance and low contaminant risk across EPA monitoring periods.

Water System

Metropolitan District Commission

EPA ID: CT0640011

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

390,887 residents

County

Hartford County County, Connecticut

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Lead Levels in ZIP 06156

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 6.7 ppb — Below Action Level

The 90th percentile lead level in 06156 is 6.7 ppb, below the EPA action level of 15 ppb but above what many health experts consider ideal. The CDC and EPA both affirm there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Families with young children or pregnant women should consider a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter, and request lead testing of their home's tap water.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
6.70 ppb (0.0067 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

7 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0.2 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Metropolitan District Commission has recorded 1 violation, but none are health-based. Administrative or reporting violations don't directly indicate unsafe water, but they do signal gaps in documentation or monitoring procedures.

Total Violations (5 yr)
1
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Moderate

Regulatory compliance risk is rated Moderate. Metropolitan District Commission has had occasional lapses in compliance but generally meets Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 06156. This means EPA monitoring has not found levels of regulated contaminants exceeding the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) set under the Safe Drinking Water Act — a positive indicator of water quality compliance.

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Sodium (15.4 ppm); Total haloacetic acids (76 ppb*); Total trihalomethanes (75.4 ppb); Lead (43 ppb*)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 1 enforcement action against Metropolitan District Commission. Enforcement actions are formal compliance orders or penalties issued when a utility fails to address violations within required timeframes.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface water - Barkhamsted Reservoir (30.3 billion gallons) and Nepaug Reservoir (9.5 billion gallons) in Farmington River watershed
EPA Radon Zone

Lower potential

Zone 3

EPA Radon Zone 3 — lower radon potential, though the EPA still recommends testing all homes.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 06156 Recommendations

  • ✓ Run cold water for 30 seconds each morning before use — especially if pipes are old
  • ✓ Request your annual Consumer Confidence Report from Metropolitan District Commission
  • ✓ If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your own tap for lead
  • ✓ Use a pitcher filter (NSF/ANSI 42 certified) for improved taste

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 06156 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 06156?+
Yes — tap water in 06156 (Hartford, CT) currently meets all federal EPA standards with a water safety grade of A. No health-based violations are on record in the past 5 years. You can drink your tap water with confidence, though running the tap for 30 seconds in the morning is always a good practice.
What is the lead level in 06156 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 06156 is 6.7 ppb (parts per billion). The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the action level, but some health experts recommend a lead filter for families with young children.
Who provides tap water to 06156?+
Tap water in ZIP code 06156 is provided by Metropolitan District Commission (EPA ID: CT0640011). This system serves approximately 390,887 residents. You can contact them directly for Consumer Confidence Reports, current advisories, and billing information.
What is the water source for 06156?+
ZIP code 06156 is served by surface water. Surface water systems draw from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and must meet strict EPA treatment requirements including filtration and disinfection.
Does 06156 have any active water quality violations?+
No active violations are on record for ZIP code 06156. EPA data shows this water system is currently in compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
How do I get a copy of my water quality report for 06156?+
Your water utility — Metropolitan District Commission — is required by law to send you an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) by July 1 each year. You can also request it directly from the utility or find it online by searching "Metropolitan District Commission Consumer Confidence Report." The EPA's ECHO database also has historical compliance data.
What water filter should I use in 06156?+
The right filter depends on what contaminants are present. For lead, look for a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53. For chlorine byproducts (like THMs), NSF/ANSI 42 filters work well. For a broad range of contaminants including PFAS, look for NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) systems. For ZIP code 06156, with a clean compliance record, a standard carbon block filter meeting NSF/ANSI 42 is a good choice for taste and as a precaution.
Is 06156 tap water safe for babies and infants?+
Infants are especially vulnerable to lead, nitrates, and microbial contaminants in drinking water. Given the detected lead level of 6.7 ppb in 06156, we recommend using a certified NSF/ANSI 53 water filter or certified bottled water for preparing infant formula. Always consult your pediatrician for guidance specific to your child's health.

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 06156 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Metropolitan District Commission. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →