Durham Tap Water Quality Report
Durham's water met every enforceable federal limit, but 8 results sit above a health goal. For many substances that goal is zero, so the number that matters is the distance to the limit.
Utility
DURHAM WATER SYSTEM
People Served
1,601
MCL Violations
0
Last Updated
Is Durham Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Read that carefully, because "above a health goal" is the phrase people misread. For many substances the goal is zero, so it can mean "found at all" rather than "too much" — the number that matters is the distance to the enforceable limit, and the table below shows both. Where a finding warrants it, match a certified filter to that contaminant rather than to a "removes 99%" claim.
The data below shows test results from 1 water utility serving 1,601 people in the Durham area. Water quality testing is conducted regularly and reported to the EPA. This report was last updated .
Boil water advisories are issued by water systems and state agencies, and they change from day to day. Boil water advisories in Connecticut
What these numbers actually mean for Durham, Connecticut
We read Durham, Connecticut’s published record and send you a short report — which findings warrant a decision, which to ignore, and what to do about it. Including when the answer is nothing.
- 8 contaminants above EPA health goals
- 20 analytes tested
- No PFAS results on record
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Recommended Water Filters for Durham
Based on Durham's water quality data, these NSF-certified filters are recommended to remove contaminants above EPA MCLGs.
AquaTru
Classic
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
0.04 gpm
Daily Production
600 gpd
Highlights:
- Best overall contaminant reduction score
- Most performance certifications
- Lifetime warranty
- NSF-42, NSF-53, NSF-58, NSF-401 certified
Removes 23 contaminants:
+18 more
Molybdenum, Barium, Chlorine, Arsenic, 83+ contaminants, Calcium, Chloride, Copper, Magnesium, Nitrate, Phosphorus, Sodium, Sulfate, Total Dissolved Solids, Zinc, Total THMs, Chloroform, Nitrate (as N)
AquaTru
Carafe
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
0.3 gpm
Daily Production
4 gpd
Highlights:
- Verified PFAS reduction
- Glass collection vessel
- Plug-and-play installation
- NSF-53, NSF-42, NSF-58, NSF-401, NSF-372 certified
Removes 17 contaminants:
+12 more
Arsenic, 83+ contaminants, Copper, Total THMs, Chloroform, Chloride, Sulfate, Nitrate (as N), Molybdenum, Barium, Strontium, Uranium
Culligan
ZeroWater
NSF Certified:
Flow Rate
1.9 gpm
Daily Production
1 gpd
Highlights:
- Compact design
- Easy to set up
- Affordable
- NSF-42, NSF-53, NSF-401 certified
Removes 19 contaminants:
+14 more
Strontium, Molybdenum, Fluoride, Uranium, Lead, Total PFAS, Chlorine, 25, Phosphorus, Bicarbonate, Calcium, Carbonate, Magnesium, Sodium
Whirlpool Corporation
W11256135
NSF Certified:
Capacity
1001 gal
Filter Life
3 mo
Flow Rate
0.7 gpm
Removes 19 contaminants:
+14 more
Benzene, Carbofuran, Chlorine (Free), Chlorine (Total), Chlorine Dioxide, Chlorobenzene, Cryptosporidium, Ethylbenzene, Lead, Mercury, Metolachlor, Tetrachloroethylene, Toxaphene, Turbidity
Verify Your Water Quality with Independent Testing
With 8 contaminants above EPA health guidelines, independent laboratory testing provides a second opinion and can track changes over time.
SimpleLab
Advanced Home Water Test
$269
Comprehensive water analysis testing over 200 contaminants including bacteria, heavy metals, and chemical compounds.
Tap Score
Haloacetic Acids (HAA9) Test
$275
Tests for disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter in water treatment.
Tap Score
Advanced Microplastics Test
$829
Cutting-edge testing for microplastics particles in drinking water using advanced laboratory techniques.
With 8 contaminants above health guidelines, you may want to explore water purification options. Learn how to make distilled water at home for applications like humidifiers, CPAP machines, and baby formula.
What Durham's water readings can explain
Utility-reported data for Durham includes sulfate — the readings behind these common tap water questions. Each page starts with the hot-tap and cold-tap check, then shows what your own water system reported.
On a private well near Durham? Public-water results do not apply to private wells. See Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region well water testing and USGS risk data — modeled arsenic, nitrate, and the tests to run.
Frequently Asked Questions About Durham Tap Water
Durham's water met every enforceable federal limit, but 8 results sit above a health goal. For many substances the EPA sets that goal to zero, so "above the goal" can mean "found at all" — the number that matters is the distance to the enforceable limit, and this page shows both.
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