Is There Copper in Old Lyme, CT Water? (ZIP 06371)
Yes. Copper has been detected in the public water serving Old Lyme, CT (ZIP 06371) in every sample tested — above the EPA limit in 5% of samples.
Federal legal limits and stricter health guidelines are not the same — enter your household below for a report on what this means for the specific people in your home.
What is Copper?
Copper enters drinking water primarily through corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fittings, especially in homes with acidic or low-mineral water. The EPA action level is 1.3 milligrams per liter, measured at the consumer's tap. Short-term exposure above this level causes gastrointestinal distress, while chronic ingestion can lead to liver and kidney damage. Infants and individuals with Wilson's disease are particularly vulnerable.
Who is most at risk in Old Lyme?
Copper matters most for infants — infants are more sensitive to copper's effects at a given level. The safe level for these groups is stricter than for a healthy adult.
How to remove Copper from your water
Install a point-of-use reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 58 for copper reduction, which removes over 95% of dissolved copper.
Use an activated carbon block filter or KDF (kinetic degradation fluxion) filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for copper reduction.
Run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes after periods of non-use to flush copper that has leached from pipes while water sat stagnant.
If your water is acidic (pH below 7.0), consider installing an acid-neutralizing calcite filter at the point of entry to raise pH and reduce corrosive conditions.
See what Copper means for your household
Get a free report personalized to the people in your home — infants, pregnancy, children, elderly, and pets.
Check 06371 Water NowHow Old Lyme compares
Across Connecticut, Copper is detected in 144 of the communities we track, and is above a limit or standard in 80. In Old Lyme (06371), it was found in every sample tested, above the EPA limit in 5% of samples.
Copper in nearby Connecticut towns:
Other contaminants of concern in Old Lyme (06371)
Last updated July 2026.