Syracuse, NY: 364 Health Violations — 38/100 (2026)
28 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Monitoring data across Syracuse reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in NY — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Syracuse Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Syracuse, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Syracuse score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Syracuse Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 504 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.007 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,882 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.87 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Syracuse
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Syracuse, NY — out of 8 total systems in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 28 ZIP codes in Syracuse, New York (population ~229,027), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 581,280 people region-wide.
28 of 28 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 364 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Syracuse: F (38/100)
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
Syracuse water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 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): 28 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 261 | 28 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 145 | 28 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 29 | 28 |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other | 29 | 28 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 29 | 28 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13201 | D | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13202 | D | 18 | 13 | Syracuse City |
| 13203 | D | 18 | 13 | Syracuse City |
| 13204 | F | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13205 | D | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13206 | F | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13207 | D | 18 | 13 | Syracuse City |
| 13208 | D | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13209 | D | 18 | 13 | Ocwa |
| 13210 | D | 18 | 13 | Syracuse City |
All ZIP Codes in Syracuse
- 13201 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13202 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13203 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13204 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13205 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13206 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13207 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13208 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13209 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13210 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13211 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13212 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13214 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13215 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13217 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13218 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13219 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13220 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13221 [D] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13224 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13225 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13235 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13244 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13250 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13251 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13252 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13261 [F] — 18 violations ⚠
- 13290 [F] — 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.
Health Outcomes in Syracuse
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 Syracuse Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Syracuse Homeowners
The household financial perspective in Syracuse reflects a moderate cost-to-value ratio — an equity share that is not trivially small but remains within the range where most homeowners can address documented water and safety issues by treating the expense as a real line item in property planning rather than a discretionary one.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Syracuse. The estimated $1,804–$4,636 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 60% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Syracuse
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.
Lead risk in Syracuse appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Syracuse
Although Syracuse's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 219 claims and FEMA maps place 54% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Syracuse has a moderate flood history with 219 FEMA claims averaging $7,753 per payout. 54% 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>$2,882</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 Syracuse
- 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 Barium can reduce the most common contaminant found in Syracuse's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Syracuse, NY