Syracuse, NY: 364 Health Violations - 38/100 (2026)
28 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Syracuse: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (364 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
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.
Water Quality in Syracuse
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 - 504 total, including 364 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: F (38/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 252 | 28 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 140 | 28 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 28 | 28 |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other | 28 | 28 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 28 | 28 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0070 mg/L
- 88% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 39% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1947
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 72/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 25%
- 16 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 88% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Syracuse residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
104,952 total housing units across 28 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 33,814 | 32% |
| 1940–1949 | 10,312 | 10% |
| 1950–1959 | 22,171 | 21% |
| 1960–1969 | 13,922 | 13% |
| 1970–1979 | 9,792 | 9% |
| 1980–1989 | 5,673 | 5% |
| 1990–1999 | 4,046 | 4% |
| 2000–2009 | 2,738 | 3% |
| 2010–2019 | 2,275 | 2% |
| 2020+ | 209 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Syracuse:
- 219 flood insurance claims on record
- $1,936,968 total paid out
- $8,845 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: C (Low risk)
- 8 of 28 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA 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.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13201 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13202 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13203 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13205 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13207 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13208 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13209 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13210 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13211 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
| 13212 | 43/100 | D | 18 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13290 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13261 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13252 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13251 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13250 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13244 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13235 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13225 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13220 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
| 13218 | 32/100 | F | 18 |
What Syracuse 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 Syracuse has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Syracuse 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 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 ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Syracuse, NY?
Syracuse has an average Home Safety Score of 38/100 (grade F) across 28 ZIP codes. There are 504 recorded EPA violations, 364 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Syracuse have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Syracuse is 0.0070 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 88% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Syracuse at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 219 flood insurance claims in Syracuse ZIP codes, with an average payout of $8,845. 8 of 28 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Syracuse homes?
88% of Syracuse housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 39% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 25%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Syracuse water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Barium, E. coli, Lead. Across 28 ZIP codes, 28 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
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 & Infrastructure in Syracuse
Median build year of 1947 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 1947, much of Syracuse's housing falls on the safer side of that line - though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.
Most homes in Syracuse 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.
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 0% 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. 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.
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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- 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