Plattsburgh, NY: 12 Violations — 72/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Plattsburgh, safety indicators for tap water remain above the NY median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Plattsburgh Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Plattsburgh Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0028 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,550 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.99 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Plattsburgh
Across Plattsburgh, NY, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 7 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Plattsburgh, New York, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 33,752 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Plattsburgh: B (72/100)
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
Plattsburgh water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0028 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 2 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 3 | 2 |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 3 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12901 | C | 6 | 0 | Plattsburgh City |
| 12903 | B | 6 | 0 | Plattsburgh City |
All ZIP Codes in Plattsburgh
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.
Health Outcomes in Plattsburgh
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
Top Contaminants in Plattsburgh Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Plattsburgh
With 61% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1983, Plattsburgh falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Plattsburgh 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 Plattsburgh Homeowners
Equity impact data for Plattsburgh lands in the favorable tier — remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Plattsburgh are relatively low compared to home values. The $750–$2,450 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 47% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Plattsburgh
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Plattsburgh have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 61% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Plattsburgh
76 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Plattsburgh, and 50% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Plattsburgh has a moderate flood history with 76 FEMA claims averaging $26,340 per payout. 50% 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>$1,550</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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Plattsburgh, NY