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Mystic & Stonington, CT: Protecting Your Coastal Water | Free Testing

Is Your Mystic & Stonington Water Safe? | Free Test!

Mystic and Stonington – two jewels of the Connecticut coast – offer a unique blend of maritime history, stunning scenery, and New England charm. But living by the sea also brings specific considerations for our drinking water. This page is just for Mystic and Stonington residents. We'll explore our local water sources, potential contaminants, the critical importance of in-home testing, and how Aerus of West Hartford can help you ensure your family's water is truly healthy.

Mystic & Stonington: Understanding Our Unique Water Situation

Mystic and Stonington have a somewhat complex water situation, with a mix of water providers and sources: Connecticut Water Company serves a good portion of customers, both residential and business. They provide water that has been sourced. Groton Utilities services a large section of Mystic using ground water. And some properties rely on private wells. Making note of that now, both municipal water that is served needs to fall within standards put forth by the state. It's not just where your water comes from but also:

Coastal Influence: Our location on the coast is part of what makes Mystic and Stonington so special. But it also means we need to be aware of potential saltwater intrusion into groundwater, especially during droughts or periods of heavy pumping.
The Disinfection Question: Public water systems must disinfect the water to kill harmful bacteria and viruses. This is usually done with chlorine (or chloramine). It's essential, but it also leads to the formation of Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs) when the chlorine reacts with organic matter.
A Mix of Old and New: Like many historic New England towns, we have a mix of older and newer homes. If your home was built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned in plumbing), there's a possibility of lead or copper leaching into your water from your home's own pipes.

What Could Be in Your Water? Key Concerns for Coastal CT

Understanding what’s in your water is crucial for your health and home. While municipal water systems like Connecticut Water Company - Mystic follow state and federal guidelines, independent assessments from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) highlight potential concerns. Private well owners have no regulatory oversight, making regular testing essential.

Here's a summary of key findings from the EWG for both towns:

Potential Contaminants in Municipal Water (Stonington, Mystic, CT )

Bromochloroacetic Acid

A disinfection byproduct linked to potential health risks.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5 & HAA9)

Common in treated water, these byproducts may pose long-term concerns.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter, potentially increasing health risks.

If You Have a Private Well

Private well owners are responsible for their own water safety, as there are no government regulations monitoring quality.

Bacteria (E. coli, coliforms)

Can enter wells, especially after heavy rainfall, leading to potential illness.

Nitrates

Often from agricultural runoff or septic system leaks, excessive nitrates in drinking water can be harmful.

Naturally Occurring Metals (Arsenic, Radium, Uranium)

These can seep into well water from underground rock formations, posing long-term health risks.

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It's All About Your Home: The Importance of In-Home Water Testing

General water quality reports are a good starting point, but they're just that – general. They cannot tell you the exact condition of the water coming out of your faucet, whether you live near the Mystic Seaport or in a quiet Stonington neighborhood. Here's what makes your home's water unique:

Your Plumbing: The age and type of pipes inside your home are key factors, especially for lead and copper.
Your Specific Location: Even within Mystic or Stonington, factors like your proximity to the coast, local land use, and water pressure can influence your water.
Well Water Variability: If you have a well, your water quality depends entirely on your local groundwater conditions, the construction of your well, and how well it's maintained.

Testing your water, in your home, is the only way to get a truly accurate assessment.

How Often Should You Test?

Public Water: Annual testing is a good general practice, especially for those disinfection byproducts.
Private Wells: At least annually for bacteria and nitrates, and every 3-5 years for a broader range of contaminants, including arsenic, uranium, lead, and copper.
Older Homes: If your home was built before 1986, definitely prioritize testing for lead and copper.
Noticeable changes.

Private wells in both towns are at risk of arsenic and uranium contamination from naturally occurring minerals in the soil. Long-term ingestion can lead to serious health concerns, including cancer and kidney damage, making annual testing for well owners a necessity.

Private wells in both towns are susceptible to arsenic and uranium leaching into groundwater. Long-term exposure can lead to serious health issues, including cancer and kidney damage. (NCBI Arsenic & Uranium Study)

Aerus of West Hartford: Your Local Water Quality Partner

Aerus of West Hartford understands the unique concerns of families in Mystic and Stonington. We offer: Free, In-Home Water Testing: A certified technician will come to your home, at your convenience, and conduct a thorough analysis. We'll test for contaminants relevant to our coastal area and your specific water source (public or well). You'll get a clear, easy-to-understand report. We'll explain everything without pressure or obligation. If we find any concerns, we can discuss the best filtration solutions for your specific situation.

Top Water Filtration Solutions for Mystic & Stonington

Each home in Windsor and Enfield has unique water quality challenges. Aerus of West Hartford provides customized water filtration solutions to address specific contaminants:

Reverse Osmosis Filtration

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems effectively remove PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates from drinking water. These systems use a multi-stage filtration process to deliver ultra-pure water. Reverse osmosis filtration removes PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates, providing ultra-clean drinking water. RO systems use a high-pressure membrane to eliminate microscopic contaminants at a molecular level.

Whole Home Filtration for Municipal Water Users

A whole-home water filtration system reduces chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and heavy metals, improving both drinking and bathing water quality while enhancing overall water safety. For municipal water users, whole-home filtration helps reduce chlorine, disinfection byproducts, and heavy metals, improving both drinking and bathing water quality.

UV Purification for Well Water Safety

For well water users, UV purification neutralizes bacteria and viruses without adding chemicals, providing an extra layer of protection against microbial contaminants.

Well water users benefit from UV purification, which neutralizes bacteria and viruses without using chemicals. This is ideal for homeowners concerned about coliform or E. coli contamination.

Water Softeners to Combat Hard Water

Many homes in Connecticut experience hard water due to mineral buildup. A water softener system helps prevent scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and fixtures, extending their lifespan and improving efficiency.

Windsor and Enfield’s water sources contain high mineral content, leading to hard water issues. Water softeners help reduce scale buildup, protect plumbing, and extend the life of appliances.

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