Poughkeepsie, NY: 12 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
4 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Poughkeepsie tap water shows a mixed record for NY — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Poughkeepsie Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Poughkeepsie Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 12 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0042 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,950 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.45.
Water Systems Serving Poughkeepsie
8 water systems are tracked federally in Poughkeepsie, NY. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Poughkeepsie, New York, covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 88,327 people.
4 of 4 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Poughkeepsie: C (59/100)
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
Poughkeepsie water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0042 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): 4 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
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 5 | 4 |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other | 5 | 4 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 5 | 4 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12601 | C | 3 | 0 | Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District |
| 12602 | C | 3 | 0 | Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District |
| 12603 | C | 3 | 0 | Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District |
| 12604 | C | 3 | 0 | Poughkeepsie Townwide Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Poughkeepsie
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.
CDC Health Data for Poughkeepsie
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Poughkeepsie
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Poughkeepsie's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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
Reading the housing age data for Poughkeepsie — median build year 1963 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Poughkeepsie 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.
Poughkeepsie: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Low proportionality — that's the Poughkeepsie picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Poughkeepsie are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,300–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Poughkeepsie
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 87% of the Poughkeepsie inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Poughkeepsie
FEMA data shows 50% of Poughkeepsie's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 140 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Poughkeepsie has a moderate flood history with 140 FEMA claims averaging $14,619 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>$1,950</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 Poughkeepsie
- 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. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Poughkeepsie's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 87% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Poughkeepsie, NY