Cortland County, New York
20 ZIP codes · Avg score 50/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Cortland County has lagged behind state benchmarks — multiple documented violations across 20 ZIP codes keep the county's grade low.
How Cortland County Compares
How Cortland County Compares
Cortland County scores 11 points below the New York state average (61/100) and 18 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Cortland County, New York
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 12.4 (asthma 11.2%, diabetes 10.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,419, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.478% avg pipe failure probability, 88% of ZIPs at high risk
74.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2023–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Cortland County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 3 total (3 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,419
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
23,644 housing units in Cortland County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Cortland County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Cortland County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Cortland County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Cortland County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country Meadows Mhp | 122 | 9 |
| 2 | Harford Water District #1 | 55 | 9 |
| 3 | Creamery Hills Senior Living Center | 48 | 9 |
| 4 | Cincinnatus Water District | 650 | 7 |
| 5 | Cortlandville Town Water | 4,300 | 7 |
24 total water systems serve Cortland County.
All ZIP Codes in Cortland County
20 ZIP codes tracked in Cortland County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13835 | Richford | 70 | B | 1 | $105K |
| 2 | 13158 | Truxton | 65 | C | 1 | $169K |
| 3 | 13784 | Harford | 64 | C | 9 | — |
| 4 | 13077 | Homer | 61 | C | 2 (1 health) | $169K |
| 5 | 13045 | Cortland | 58 | C | 5 | $163K |
| 6 | 13040 | Cincinnatus | 57 | C | 7 | $127K |
| 7 | 13803 | Marathon | 57 | C | 7 (2 health) | $134K |
| 8 | 13863 | Willet | 55 | C | 1 (1 health) | $104K |
| 9 | 10919 | Circleville | 53 | D | 0 | $419K |
| 10 | 13056 | East Homer | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 11 | 13087 | Little York | 53 | D | 0 | $193K |
| 12 | 10932 | Howells | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 13093 | Lycoming | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 14 | 13101 | Mc Graw | 40 | D | 0 | $124K |
| 15 | 13115 | Minetto | 40 | D | 0 | $138K |
| 16 | 13136 | Pitcher | 40 | D | 0 | $103K |
| 17 | 13738 | Blodgett Mills | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 18 | 13794 | Killawog | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 19 | 13801 | Mc Donough | 40 | D | 0 | $148K |
| 20 | 13841 | Smithville Flats | 40 | D | 0 | $115K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Cortland County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Cortland County, New York
Overview
Cortland County in New York covers 20 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (50/100).
8 of 20 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to New York water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Cortland County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
74.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.