Buffalo water quality is uneven — some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in NY EPA records.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

Water Quality Map: Buffalo, NY

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 44 ZIP codes in Buffalo, New York, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 586,209 people.

44 of 44 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 44 health-based violations documented.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Buffalo: C (62/100)

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

Buffalo water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
• 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 44 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Top Contaminants

Areas with Most Violations

All ZIP Codes in Buffalo

• 14201 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14202 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14203 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14204 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14205 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14206 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14207 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14208 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14209 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14210 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14211 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14212 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14213 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14214 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14215 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14216 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14217 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14218 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14219 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14220 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14221 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14222 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14223 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14224 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14225 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14226 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14227 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14228 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14231 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14233 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14240 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14241 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14260 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14261 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14263 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14264 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14265 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14267 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14269 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14270 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14272 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14273 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14276 [C] — 18 violations ⚠
• 14280 [C] — 18 violations ⚠

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.

Housing Age Profile

Decades of residential development in Buffalo took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1928, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.

1928

Median Year Built

89%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

69%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Pre-1970 (69%) 1970–1986 (20%) Post-1986 (11%)

Over half of homes in Buffalo 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.

Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Buffalo Homeowners

Is remediation financially manageable for Buffalo homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.

Median Home Value

$192,300

Est. Remediation

$2,300

Remediation as % of home value 1.2%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Buffalo. The estimated $1,488–$3,298 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 47% below the New York average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Buffalo

89%

Homes Built Before 1986

0.006

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 89% of Buffalo stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Flood & Climate Risk in Buffalo

Buffalo's NFIP record reflects high flood exposure — 1467 claims spanning a long history of significant events, with 55% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones. High flood frequency increases the probability of water quality disruptions at each point in the supply chain: treatment facilities, transmission infrastructure, and private wells all face elevated stress risk when flooding is a recurring feature rather than a rare exception.

1,467

Total FEMA Flood Claims

$7,640

Avg Claim Payout

55%

ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

~73

Est. Claims/Year

Buffalo has a significant flood history with 1,467 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $7,640 per claim. With 55% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.

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>$2,300</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.