Hardness
Moderately Hard
77.1 PPM · 4.5 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Newtown, CT 06470
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Fairfield County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Aquarion-Eastern Fairfield County
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Fairfield County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 351,756 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
77.1 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
77.1
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
4.5
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 77.1 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
131
Nearest site
2.5 mi
Observation range
Jan 4, 2016–Jun 3, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: POOTATUCK RIVER AT SANDY HOOK, CT (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 06470 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Newtown median
77 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 77.1–77.1 PPM
Connecticut median
53 PPM
24 PPM higher98 indexed ZIP readings · Range 42.8–114 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
Copper (CU90)
1.44 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 1996
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.44
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 110
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | CT0970071 | Unaddressed | Jan 1, 2026 |
| E. COLI | CT0970071 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| E. COLI | CT0970071 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2025through Nov 30, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0970021 | Resolved | Aug 10, 2025through Nov 3, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0971011 | Resolved | Aug 10, 2025through Aug 18, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | CT0970021 | Unaddressed | Jul 1, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0970021 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Nov 3, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | CT0970021 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | CT0970021 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | CT0971011 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | CT0971011 | Unaddressed | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0971011 | Resolved | Aug 10, 2024through Aug 18, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0971011 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2024through Feb 14, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | CT0970071 | Resolved | Mar 31, 2024through May 13, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0971011 | Resolved | Aug 10, 2023through Aug 18, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0970071 | Resolved | Aug 10, 2023through Oct 19, 2023 |
| E. COLI | CT0970071 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2023through Aug 31, 2023 |
| E. COLI | CT0970071 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2023through Aug 31, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0971011 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Feb 14, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | CT0970071 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Oct 19, 2023 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Newtown ZIP 06470 using 77.1 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Newtown
Is tap water safe in Newtown?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 77.1 PPM, or 4.5 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.