If you live in Naugatuck, your water may look perfectly fine at first glance. It runs clear, doesn’t always smell, and seems safe enough for everyday use.

But recent water supply tests we conducted across the town tell a more nuanced story.

Two nearby homes—drawing from the same regional groundwater—showed very different water profiles. One sample met all safety standards. The other failed potability guidelines due to elevated contaminants, even after treatment.

That’s the reality of private well water: conditions can change dramatically from one street to the next.

Understanding Local Water: What Our Tests Revealed

Our analysis in Naugatuck focused on two residential wells, and the results highlight five key water quality characteristics every homeowner should understand.

Chloride: When Salt Becomes a Problem

One of the most significant findings came from Home A, where the chloride level measured 301 mg/L, exceeding the recommended limit of 250 mg/L.

Chloride itself isn’t always dangerous at moderate levels, but elevated concentrations often indicate contamination sources such as road salt runoff or brine discharge from a water softener.

The location of that discharge matters. If the softener’s backwash or brine discharge is released too close to the well, chloride can migrate into the groundwater and contribute to higher test results over time.

In this case, the sample was flagged as not safe for drinking, even though it had already been treated. That distinction matters. If chloride levels are high, treatment systems may need adjustment—or the contamination source may still be active.

If your home is near treated roads or uses a water softener, this is something worth testing directly.

Hardness: A Hidden Cost to Your Home

Water hardness varied significantly between locations.

• Home A: 248 mg/L (Hard water)
• Home B: 68.9 mg/L (Moderately soft)

Hard water, caused by calcium and magnesium, is extremely common in Connecticut groundwater. While it’s not considered a direct health risk, it has clear consequences inside the home.

Scale buildup reduces the efficiency of water heaters, clogs pipes over time, and leaves residue on fixtures and glassware.

Research shows that hardness comes from groundwater interacting with mineral-rich rock formations, particularly limestone and similar deposits.

If your appliances seem to wear out faster or your faucets develop white buildup, hardness is likely a factor—even if your water is technically “safe.”

Radon: The Invisible Variable

Both wells tested positive for Radon-222, a naturally occurring radioactive gas commonly found in groundwater across Connecticut.

• Home A: 355 pCi/L
• Home B: 1,842 pCi/L

Both values are below Connecticut’s advisory threshold of 5,000 pCi/L, meaning they are not considered immediately unsafe. However, the variation between two nearby homes is significant.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon exposure is primarily a concern when it enters indoor air. Water can contribute to that exposure during daily activities like showering.

Even when levels are below regulatory concern, testing is important—because radon is entirely dependent on local geology, not distance between homes.

Sodium: A Quiet Indicator of Larger Issues

The sodium level at Home A reached 93.2 mg/L, approaching the recommended limit of 100 mg/L.

This often correlates with elevated chloride levels and may point to related underlying causes, such as road salt contamination or the normal ion exchange process in a water softener.

In water softeners, sodium is used to replace calcium and magnesium—the minerals that cause hardness. As part of this treatment process, a small amount of sodium naturally enters the water. It’s typically not enough to affect taste, but it is enough to appear on a lab report.

While sodium in drinking water is usually not a concern for most people, it can be important for those on sodium-restricted diets and may also serve as an indicator of broader water quality patterns.

When sodium and chloride rise together, it’s rarely a coincidence—it’s a pattern.

pH Levels: Acceptable, but Worth Watching

Both samples showed slightly acidic to neutral pH:

• Home A: 6.59
• Home B: 6.64

While the state may only flag pH below 6.4, anything below 7.0 is considered acidic and can make water corrosive.

At this level, corrective measures are often recommended to bring the water back to a neutral range above 7.0, especially in homes with copper plumbing. Early signs of corrosive water can include blue-green staining in sinks or fixtures.

Even though these samples were not formally flagged, the water should still be considered corrosive and worth addressing to prevent long-term damage to pipes.

Our Professional Recommendations to Each Home

When we deliver a water analysis report, our job isn't just to provide data—it's to provide a path to clean, safe water. Here is how we addressed the specific needs of these two Naugatuck households.