Cadmium in Connecticut Drinking Water
By Alexander Snyder, Founder & Water Quality Data Lead
The U.S. EPA sets the legal limit (MCL) for Cadmium at 0.005 mg/L, but the health-based safe level set by California's OEHHA is 0.00004 mg/L. That health guideline is roughly 125x stricter than the federal legal limit.
Cadmium has been detected in 94 Connecticut ZIP codes, above a limit or health guideline in 45. Here is what you need to know about cadmium in your drinking water and how it may affect your household.
What Is Cadmium?
Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal that enters drinking water through corrosion of galvanized pipes, erosion of natural deposits, discharge from metal refineries, and runoff from batteries and paints. The EPA maximum contaminant level is 5 parts per billion. California's public health goal is 0.04 ppb. Chronic exposure primarily damages the kidneys and can cause bone demineralization over time.
Is Cadmium in Your Water?
Enter your Connecticut ZIP code to find out if cadmium is in your local water — and see personalized health risks for your household.
Check Your ZIP CodeHealth Effects of Cadmium
Kidney damage
Safety Guidelines
Health Guideline
0.00004 mg/L
Source: California OEHHA
Legal Limit (MCL)
0.005 mg/L
EPA Maximum Contaminant Level
Cadmium's health-based safe level is roughly 125x stricter than the federal legal limit.
| Standard | Level | Source |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Legal Limit (MCL) | 0.005 mg/L | EPA |
| Health Guideline | 0.00004 mg/L | California OEHHA |
| Gap | ~125x stricter than legal | |
Where Does Cadmium Come From?
Corrosion of galvanized pipes; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; runoff from waste batteries and paints
How to Reduce Cadmium in Your Water
- 1Install a point-of-use reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for cadmium reduction, which removes approximately 93 to 98% of dissolved cadmium.
- 2Use an activated carbon block filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for heavy metal reduction; verify that cadmium is specifically listed on the performance data sheet.
- 3Distillation units effectively remove cadmium since the metal does not volatilize at water's boiling point and remains in the boiling chamber.
- 4If your home has galvanized steel pipes, consider replacing them with copper or PEX piping to eliminate the primary source of cadmium in household plumbing.
Who Is Most Vulnerable to Cadmium?
The safe level of cadmium varies significantly depending on who is drinking the water. CheckYourTap calculates adjusted safe levels for each member of your household:
A contaminant level that is safe for an adult may exceed guidelines for an infant by 4-8x or more. Check your ZIP code to see personalized results.
Reading this inside ChatGPT or Claude?
This page can tell you the general science, but not what is actually in your water’s cadmium level — that depends on your exact address. You can get your specific answer two ways:
- Inside the chat: ask your assistant to “check my tap water with CheckYourTap”. Our connector returns your ZIP code’s measured contaminant levels — including the derived dog and cat safe levels — and, only if you ask it to, can email you the report or arrange a specialist callback.
- On the web: open CheckYourTap.com and enter your ZIP code for a free 30-second report.
Concerned about Cadmium in your water?
Schedule to get your water tested for cadmium and more — a Valiant water specialist will review your results and arrange testing for your home.
Have a dog or cat?
Cadmium affects pets differently — they drink far more water per pound of body weight, and some are more sensitive than people. See the derived safe levels and the veterinary science:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cadmium in my tap water?▾
What level of Cadmium is safe?▾
How do I remove Cadmium from my water?▾
Related Contaminants
Check Water Quality by ZIP Code
Sources
The legal limits and health guidelines for Cadmium on this page come from the following public authorities:
About This Report
This water quality report is compiled from public records filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, state health departments, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Contaminant levels are evaluated against EPA federal standards and health-based guidelines from leading environmental and public health organizations. CheckYourTap is a service of Valiant Energy Solutions, a Connecticut water quality and energy services company established in 1930.
This report is general information, not medical advice or a substitute for certified laboratory testing. Talk to your pediatrician or physician about specific health concerns.
Reviewed by the CheckYourTap editorial team. Last updated July 2026