Exceeds EPA Limit PFAS EXCEEDS EPA LIMIT

PFAS in New York, NY Drinking Water

PFAS data for New York, New York · 8,271,405 residents · 159 ZIP codes

Federal water monitoring extends to thousands of public water systems, and in New York, New York, that tracking has turned up PFAS — the detection is logged in the EPA compliance record and reflects samples collected under routine Safe Drinking Water Act reporting requirements.

4 ppt (PFOA/PFOS individually)
EPA MCL
159
EPA Violations
High
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis or Granular Activated Carbon
Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-14

PFAS in New York Tap Water

New York, New York has 159 EPA violations related to pfas in drinking water.

This analysis covers 8,271,405 residents across 159 ZIP codes in New York.

New York's overall water quality grade is D (50/100).

Is PFAS in New York Water Safe?

PFAS levels in parts of New York exceed the EPA MCL of 4 ppt (PFOA/PFOS individually). The EPA requires water systems to take corrective action when this limit is exceeded.

If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or granular activated carbon filter certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 and testing your water independently.

EPA Violations for PFAS in New York

Date Violation Type Status ZIP Code
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10001
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10002
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10003
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10004
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10005
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10006
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10007
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10008
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10009
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10010
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10011
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10012
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10013
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10014
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10015
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10016
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10017
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10018
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10019
2024-05-20 PFOA (Known) Known 10020
... 139 more violations

Health Effects of PFAS

  • Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer
  • Thyroid disease and immune system suppression
  • Reproductive problems and reduced fertility
  • Elevated cholesterol and liver effects
  • Developmental effects in infants and children

Health risk severity: High. Governed by the PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (2024).

How PFAS Gets Into Drinking Water

  • Firefighting foam (AFFF) used at military bases and airports
  • Industrial manufacturing (non-stick coatings, stain-resistant fabrics)
  • Wastewater treatment plants that receive industrial discharge
  • Landfill leachate from PFAS-containing consumer products

What to Do About PFAS in New York Water

  1. Install a reverse osmosis system (most effective — removes 90%+ of PFAS)
  2. Granular activated carbon (GAC) filters remove some PFAS compounds
  3. Look for NSF 53 or NSF 58 certification specifically tested for PFAS
  4. Pitcher filters with activated carbon provide partial reduction

Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 for pfas removal.

Related

HomeContaminantsPFASNew York → New York
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.