What was found in Colchester's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 697 µg/L 7% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 840 µg/L — CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 26 µg/L 1.3% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2016
Highest in the city: 606 µg/L — CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2019 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 19.11 µg/L 1.5% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 176.805 µg/L — COOKS FALLS WATER DISTRICT · 150 people · 2019 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 2.1 µg/L 2.6% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 36.415 µg/L — CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2017 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 18.1 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 0.5100 µg/L 0.9% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 11.65 µg/L — CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2017 | 3/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 10.9 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 5.49 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 4.81 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 4.78 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 3.64 µg/L 36% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 3.6 µg/L 7.2% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 3.19 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 2/3 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 2.51 µg/L No EPA limit set Highest in the city: CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. · 93 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 1.1 µg/L 7.3% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Highest in the city: COOKS FALLS WATER DISTRICT · 150 people · 2019 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 0.2000 pCi/L 4% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Highest in the city: COOKS FALLS WATER DISTRICT · 150 people · 2014 | 1/3 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0015 mg/L 10% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT · 617 people · 2024
Highest in the city: 0.0020 mg/L — COOKS FALLS WATER DISTRICT · 150 people · 2025 | 3/3 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Colchester
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| DOWNSVILLE WATER DISTRICT | 617 |
| COOKS FALLS WATER DISTRICT | 150 |
| CORBETT COMMUNITY CORP. | 93 |
Frequently asked questions about Colchester tap water
Is Colchester tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 17 contaminants in the water serving Colchester. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Colchester?
3 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Colchester, New York to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Colchester's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Colchester include Nitrate, Barium, Copper, TTHM, Bromoform. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.