Water Quality in Albany, NY: 14 Violations - Grade N/A
6 water systems · 12 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 14 violations across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Albany. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Albany
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12205 | 7 | 0 | View report → |
| 12203 | 6 | 4 | View report → |
| 12222 | 4 | 2 | View report → |
| 12204 | 3 | 1 | View report → |
| 12202 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12206 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12207 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12208 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12209 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12210 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12211 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
| 12226 | 1 | 0 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Albany.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
Water Quality Overview
Albany, New York has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 12 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 14 violations, including 5 health-based violations across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across Albany water systems is 0.0130 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 12 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 82% of homes built before 1986, Albany has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Albany
Albany is served by 6 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 155,313 people across 50 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 42 enforcement actions against water systems serving Albany. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Albany
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Albany Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Albany's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 12 | 12 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.06 mg/L | 7 | 3 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 2 | 2 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 4 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | N/A | 1 | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | No |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving Albany:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 |
Violations have decreased from 3 in 2021 to 1 in 2023, indicating improving compliance.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 26 enforcement actions against water systems serving Albany. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-05-12 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-22 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-04-04 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-04-04 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-04-04 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-01-03 | State Order Extension |
| 2024-11-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-11-13 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-05-07 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-05-07 | State Informal Enforcement |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-05-12.
Albany vs. Nearby New York Cities
How Albany's water quality compares to similar cities in New York:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | 12 | 14 | 6 | 155,313 |
| Astoria | 4 | 0 | 1 | 142,870 |
| Schenectady | 8 | 17 | 10 | 169,777 |
| Yonkers | 5 | 2 | 2 | 190,107 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Albany
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Albany's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 12205 | 7 | 0 |
| 12203 | 6 | 4 |
| 12222 | 4 | 2 |
| 12204 | 3 | 1 |
| 12202 | 1 | 0 |
| 12206 | 1 | 0 |
| 12207 | 1 | 0 |
| 12208 | 1 | 0 |
| 12209 | 1 | 0 |
| 12210 | 1 | 0 |
| 12211 | 1 | 0 |
| 12226 | 1 | 0 |
Common Questions About Albany Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Albany, New York:
Is Albany water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Albany's 6 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Albany tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 5 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Albany? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Albany vs. New York Average
Understanding how Albany compares to the broader New York average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Albany.
ZIP Codes in Albany
Albany spans 50 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 12 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.