New York Water Quality
For residents served by a public water system, tap water in New York generally meets state and federal health standards, though specific concerns such as lead and disinfection byproducts exist. Water quality varies significantly across the state, depending on the source and infrastructure. The following provides an overview of the water quality in New York City and the broader state.
New York City Water Quality
New York City's tap water is famously sourced from protected upstate watersheds in the Catskill and Delaware mountains. While the city's water often wins taste tests and consistently meets all federal and state standards, some issues remain.
Concerns in NYC
- Lead: Elevated lead levels can occur in older homes and buildings built before 1961 due to lead service lines and plumbing. The city's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is replacing these lines, and free lead testing kits are available for residents.
- Disinfection Byproducts (DBPs): The city's water is treated with chlorine, which can react with other organic matter to form DBPs, including Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) and Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Levels of these chemicals have sometimes exceeded federal standards or stricter guidelines recommended by organizations like the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
- Contamination in older buildings: Older buildings with rooftop water storage tanks have an additional risk of contamination from bacteria, as a 2014 investigation found evidence of fecal contamination in some tanks.
- PFAS and other chemicals: Some reports from organizations like the EWG cite concerns over unregulated contaminants such as "forever chemicals" (PFAS).
New York State Water Quality
Outside of New York City, water quality is highly dependent on the local public water system or private well. The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) monitor water quality and enforce regulations.
General issues across the state
- Aging infrastructure: Across New York, old and crumbling infrastructure, including service lines, water mains, and treatment plants, is a significant contributor to contamination and poses a risk to drinking water quality.
- Emerging contaminants: The state is actively working to address emerging contaminants like PFAS and 1,4-dioxane. State standards for these chemicals were implemented in 2020, with federal standards for PFAS becoming even stricter in 2024. However, some systems may require infrastructure upgrades to meet the new limits.
- Harmful algal blooms (HABs): Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms are a persistent issue in some of the state's lakes and ponds, including urban areas. These blooms can produce toxins that are hazardous to humans and animals.
- Local-level contamination: Contamination sources such as road salt, industrial runoff, and agricultural activities can affect both public water sources and private wells, particularly in groundwater-dependent areas like Long Island.
