Although conditions vary by service area, Long Island City's water systems collectively show below-average compliance within NY - health-based violations are documented throughout the city, and the overall grade reflects a pattern rather than isolated incidents.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Long Island City

We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Long Island City, New York (population ~46,395), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 8,271,285 people region-wide.

No EPA violations have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Long Island City - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: D (49/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead Risk

• 23% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 19% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 2010
• Most common estimated pipe material: PEX or Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 30/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 10%

Housing Age Distribution

29,825 total housing units across 3 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Long Island City:

• 89 flood insurance claims on record
• $16,386,801 total paid out
• $184,121 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 2 of 3 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 3 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.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

What Long Island City Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Long Island City has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Long Island City is in a high-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in Long Island City

• 11101 [D]
• 11109 [D]
• 11120 [D]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Long Island City, NY?

Long Island City has an average Home Safety Score of 49/100 (grade D) across 3 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Long Island City at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 89 flood insurance claims in Long Island City ZIP codes, with an average payout of $184,121. 2 of 3 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Long Island City homes?

23% of Long Island City housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 19% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is PEX or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 10%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Long Island City's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 2010, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.

2010

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Long Island City were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Long Island City

FEMA-designated flood zones cover a small share of Long Island City's ZIP codes, and NFIP claim volume reflects that limited exposure. Flood-related water quality disruptions - overwhelmed treatment capacity, well contamination, backflow - are infrequent where flood events themselves are rare.

89

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~4

Est. Claims/Year

Long Island City has a relatively low flood history with 89 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.

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.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.