Yonkers, NY Water Safety: 82/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Although water quality varies across any metro, Yonkers's systems collectively post above-average compliance scores for NY — and documented violations are few.
How Yonkers Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Yonkers, NY
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Yonkers.
Yonkers Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0071 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,440 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.47.
Water Systems Serving Yonkers
Residential water service in Yonkers, NY is divided among 2 separate utilities, drawn from 2 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Yonkers, New York (population ~190,107), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 358,301 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Yonkers — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Yonkers: B (82/100)
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
Yonkers water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0071 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 6 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10701 | B | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
| 10702 | A | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
| 10703 | B | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
| 10704 | A | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
| 10705 | B | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
| 10710 | B | Yonkers City | 211,569 |
All ZIP Codes in Yonkers
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 Yonkers
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
How Old Is Yonkers's Housing Stock?
With 88% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Yonkers, where the median build year is 1957, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Yonkers 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.
Yonkers: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Yonkers, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Yonkers are relatively low compared to home values. The $960–$2,080 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the New York average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Yonkers
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Yonkers. 88% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Yonkers
Over the multi-decade span covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Yonkers has accumulated 625 flood claims — a total that reflects a community where significant flooding is a recurring, documented feature of the local environment. That history has direct relevance to water quality. Each major flood event activates contamination pathways that are absent or dormant during dry conditions: treatment plants handling floodwater-saturated intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads; private wells in low-lying FEMA-designated zones — which cover 83% of local ZIP codes — can be infiltrated by surface runoff carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; distribution systems under pressure during flooding can experience backflow that draws untreated water into the supply.
Yonkers has a significant flood history with 625 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $15,303 per claim. With 83% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$1,440</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 Yonkers, NY