Is nitrate a problem in New York drinking water?

Nitrate was detected above the EPA limit of 10 mg/L (as nitrogen) in 22 ZIP codes across New York. Check the table above for specific areas. Consider Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange if your ZIP is affected.

How widespread is nitrate in New York water?

Nitrate was detected in 38 ZIP codes across New York. 22 ZIPs exceeded the EPA limit. See the table above for details.

Nitrate · New York

Nitrate in New York Drinking Water — 38 ZIPs Tested

EPA data analysis for nitrate in New York drinking water systems

ZIPs with Detections

ZIPs with Violations

Violation Rate

10 mg/L (as nitrogen)

EPA Limit

High

Health Risk

Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange

Best Filter Method

Nitrate Contamination in New York

ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 2,186 ZIP codes in New York for nitrate contamination. 38 ZIP codes have reported nitrate detections, and 22 have EPA violations on record.

The violation rate for nitrate in New York is 1% of all ZIP codes — lower than the national average.

EPA Standard for Nitrate

The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 mg/L (as nitrogen), governed by the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.

Worst ZIP Codes for Nitrate in New York

These ZIP codes reported the highest nitrate levels in New York based on CCR reports and EPA data:

Lowest Nitrate Levels in New York

These ZIP codes had the lowest reported nitrate detections in New York:

Health Effects of Nitrate

How to Remove Nitrate From Drinking Water

The most effective treatment for nitrate removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 standards.

Check Your ZIP Code

Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see nitrate data for your specific water system in New York.

Worst ZIP Codes for Nitrate in New York

Ranked by highest nitrate detection level.

Rank	ZIP Code	City	Level Detected	EPA Limit	Status
1	11579	Sea Cliff	11 ppm	10 ppm	Exceeds
2	11731	East Northport	8.1 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit
3	11740	Greenlawn	8.1 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit
4	11746	Huntington Station	8.1 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit
5	11020	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
6	11021	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
7	11022	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
8	11023	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
9	11026	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
10	11027	Great Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
11	11030	Manhasset	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
12	11359	Bayside	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
13	11362	Little Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
14	11363	Little Neck	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
15	11507	Albertson	7.1 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
16	11803	Plainview	7.1 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit
17	11804	Old Bethpage	7.1 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit
18	11724	Cold Spring Harbor	6.6 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
19	11743	Huntington	6.6 mg/l	10 mg/l	Within Limit
20	11050	Port Washington	6.5 mg/L	10 mg/L	Within Limit

Lowest Nitrate Levels in New York

ZIP Code	City	Level Detected
11590	Westbury	5.2 mg/l
11970	South Jamesport	5.6 mg/l
11948	Laurel	5.6 mg/l
11947	Jamesport	5.6 mg/l
11931	Aquebogue	5.6 mg/l
11901	Riverhead	5.6 mg/l
11599	Garden City	5.9 mg/l
11535	Garden City	5.9 mg/l
11531	Garden City	5.9 mg/l
11530	Garden City	5.9 mg/l

Cities with Nitrate Data in New York

40 cities in New York have nitrate testing data available.

Albertson Aquebogue Athol Springs Bayside Bethpage Bronx Bronxville Buffalo Cold Spring Harbor Depew East Amherst East Northport Floral Park Garden City Getzville Glen Cove Great Neck Greenlawn Huntington Huntington Station

+ 20 more cities

New York Water Quality Overview: See statewide water quality rankings on the New York water quality page.

Learn more about Nitrate: Read the full guide on Nitrate in drinking water.

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