Water Quality in Oswego, NY: No Violations in Mapped EPA Records
3 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report no violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Oswego. This does not cover unavailable records or guarantee a specific tap is contaminant-free.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Oswego
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13126 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Oswego, New York has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 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 no violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts for Oswego. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Oswego is 0.0070 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 78% of homes built before 1986, Oswego 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 Oswego
Oswego is served by 3 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 36,199 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
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
EPA records list 4 enforcement actions against water systems serving Oswego. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Oswego
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
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 4 enforcement actions against water systems serving Oswego. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2024-04-09 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2024-04-09 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-04-09 | State Order Extension |
| 2022-07-25 | State Filed Judgment |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2024-04-09.
Oswego vs. Nearby New York Cities
How Oswego's water quality compares to similar cities in New York:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oswego | 1 | 0 | 3 | 36,199 |
| Richmond Hill | 1 | 0 | 1 | 36,304 |
| Oakland Gardens | 1 | 0 | 1 | 36,417 |
| Wappingers Falls | 1 | 9 | 5 | 35,823 |
Common Questions About Oswego Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Oswego, New York:
Is Oswego water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Oswego's 3 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Oswego tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Oswego? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Oswego vs. New York Average
Understanding how Oswego 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 Oswego.
ZIP Codes in Oswego
Oswego spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. 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.