Utica, NY: 18 Health Violations — 58/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Utica's water quality grade in NY reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Utica Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Utica, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Utica score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Utica Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 84 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.012 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.51 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Utica
Utica, NY is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Utica, New York (population ~73,476), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 126,400 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 18 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Utica: C (58/100)
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
Utica water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0120 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): 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2829 | Other | 21 | 6 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 21 | 6 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 14 | 6 |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13501 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
| 13502 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
| 13503 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
| 13504 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
| 13505 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
| 13599 | C | 14 | 3 | Mvwa - Mohawk Valley Water Authority |
All ZIP Codes in Utica
- 13501 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 13502 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 13503 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 13504 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 13505 [C] — 14 violations ⚠
- 13599 [C] — 14 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 Utica
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 Utica Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Utica Homeowners
In Utica, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Utica are relatively low compared to home values. The $917–$2,900 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 59% below the New York average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Utica
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 Utica 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 Utica
Flood risk in Utica occupies the middle ground: 84 NFIP claims and 50% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality — treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow — become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Utica has a moderate flood history with 84 FEMA claims averaging $30,537 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>$1,500</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 Utica
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. Lead testing is especially recommended given the area's lead levels.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Contaminant 2829 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Utica's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Utica, NY