Au Sable Forks, NY Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
A meaningful share of water systems in Au Sable Forks have recorded health-based violations in recent NY monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Au Sable Forks Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Facts for Au Sable Forks Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,600 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.83 — above typical levels.
Au Sable Forks's Water Providers
Water delivery in Au Sable Forks, NY is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Au Sable Forks, New York (population ~1,860), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,434 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Au Sable Forks — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Au Sable Forks: D (50/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Au Sable Forks water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Au Sable Forks
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12912 | D | Forever Wild Water Company-signor | 900 |
All ZIP Codes in Au Sable Forks
- 12912 [D]
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
Updated daily.
Au Sable Forks Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Au Sable Forks Infrastructure Age
With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Heavily weighted toward older construction, Au Sable Forks's housing stock carries a median build year of 1978. That profile puts a majority of homes in the era when lead-soldered copper plumbing was standard practice.
Over half of homes in Au Sable Forks were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Au Sable Forks
In Au Sable Forks, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Au Sable Forks are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 48% below the New York average.
Au Sable Forks: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Routinely in Au Sable Forks, where 72% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Au Sable Forks: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Au Sable Forks falls in moderate-exposure territory — 138 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Au Sable Forks has a moderate flood history with 138 FEMA claims averaging $19,258 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,600</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Au Sable Forks
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Au Sable Forks, NY