New York
Water quality data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
Water Systems
26,516
Active public water systems
Population Served
19.30M
Residents with piped water
Lead Violations
153
Systems exceeding 15 ppb
Copper Violations
503
Lead & Copper Rule
Average Lead Level
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
MCLG (health goal): 0 ppb
Average across 4659 systems with reported lead data.
Violations Detected
656 water systems in New York have reported violations under the Lead and Copper Rule. These utilities are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Schools & Daycares
1 school or daycare water system identified in this state.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Schools are required to test for lead and remediate violations.
Water Systems: Highest Lead Levels
| System Name | City | Population | Lead Level | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GLENS FALLS | 17,000 | 48.00 ppb | Violation | 1992-12-31 | |
| AMSTERDAM | 20,700 | 31.30 ppb | Violation | 2025-12-31 | |
| GARDEN CITY | 23,272 | 19.40 ppb | Violation | 2025-06-30 | |
| ALBANY | 98,000 | 16.12 ppb | Violation | 2024-12-31 | |
| HENRIETTA | 36,400 | 15.00 ppb | OK | 1993-06-30 | |
| WEST NYACK | 146,732 | 12.20 ppb | OK | 2027-12-31 | |
| UTICA | 126,250 | 12.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| VALHALLA | 8,271,000 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 2024-12-31 | |
| LOCKPORT | 21,165 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| ENDWELL | 21,000 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 1992-12-31 | |
| QUEENSBURY | 20,000 | 10.00 ppb | OK | 1992-12-31 | |
| BUFFALO | 80,228 | 9.85 ppb | OK | 2022-12-31 | |
| BUFFALO | 23,387 | 9.85 ppb | OK | 2022-12-31 | |
| BUFFALO | 23,181 | 9.85 ppb | OK | 2022-12-31 | |
| BUFFALO | 21,428 | 9.85 ppb | OK | 2022-12-31 |
Showing top 15 of 4514 systems with lead data. Action level: 15 ppb.
Systems With Active Violations
These water systems have exceeded EPA limits and must take corrective action.
YONKERS · Pop. 211,569
Lead: 7.14 ppb (2026-12-31)
WEST NYACK · Pop. 146,732
Lead: 12.20 ppb (2027-12-31)
UTICA · Pop. 126,250
Lead: 12.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
ALBANY · Pop. 98,000
Lead: 16.12 ppb (2024-12-31)
SCHENECTADY · Pop. 61,821
Lead: 3.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
MAMARONECK · Pop. 59,629
Lead: 4.50 ppb (2026-12-31)
GREENBURGH · Pop. 39,993
Lead: 1.29 ppb (2025-12-31)
PORT WASHINGTON · Pop. 34,000
Lead: 2.00 ppb (2024-12-31)
ITHACA · Pop. 29,457
Lead: 2.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
CORTLANDT MANOR · Pop. 28,369
Lead: 1.40 ppb (2026-12-31)
PLATTSBURGH · Pop. 24,173
Lead: 2.80 ppb (2025-12-31)
GARDEN CITY · Pop. 23,272
Lead: 19.40 ppb (2025-06-30)
Water Source Types
Air Quality
GoodAvg AQI
43.5
PM2.5
5.9 µg/m³
Unhealthy Days
5
Primary Pollutant
Ozone
Source: EPA AirNow & American Lung Association 2024 State of the Air. AQI scale: 0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Sensitive Groups · 151+ Unhealthy.
PFAS Contamination
High DetectionPFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and human body. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in April 2024. View national PFAS tracker →
Systems Tested
548
PFAS Detected
274
Detection Rate
50.0%
Exceeding MCL (4 ppt)
98(17.9%)
Highest recorded level: 165 ppt (EPA MCL: 4 ppt). ~50% of NY public water systems detected PFAS; ~250 exceeded state MCLs; NY Health Dept estimates 548 will exceed federal MCLs. Large systems in NYC metro, Long Island affected