Suffolk County Water Quality: 360 Violations (NY)
21 water systems · 110 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 84/100 (B) · 88 of 117 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
Violation Trend
EPA violations across water systems in Suffolk County.
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Suffolk County has 21 community water systems across 110 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 9,752,270 people. The available records contain 360 EPA violations, including 7 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 2% of all violations in Suffolk County. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 7 | 1.9% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 353 | 98.1% |
| Total | 360 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington Station | 48 | 0 | 1 | 66,883 |
| 2 | Huntington | 48 | 0 | 1 | 42,423 |
| 3 | Greenlawn | 47 | 0 | 1 | 10,699 |
| 4 | Riverhead | 32 | 1 | 1 | 32,921 |
| 5 | East Hampton | 29 | 0 | 1 | 21,806 |
| 6 | Melville | 29 | 0 | 1 | 19,826 |
| 7 | Cold Spring Harbor | 28 | 0 | 1 | 2,956 |
| 8 | East Northport | 20 | 0 | 1 | 29,891 |
| 9 | Commack | 19 | 0 | 1 | 29,050 |
| 10 | Northport | 19 | 0 | 1 | 21,908 |
Violation Trend
Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in Suffolk County:
| Year | Total | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023 | 14 | 14 |
| 2024 | 13 | 13 |
| 2025 | 4 | 4 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Inorganic | 28 | 14 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 14 | 14 | Yes |
| Atrazine | Organic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Benzene | Organic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Cadmium | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Chromium | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Fluoride | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Selenium | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 7 | 7 | No |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (B) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Suffolk County
Suffolk County is served by 21 community water systems, averaging 0.2 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Suffolk County source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Suffolk County
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 993 enforcement actions against water systems in Suffolk County. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Suffolk County
Water quality varies across Suffolk County's 110 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11743 | Huntington | 48 | 0 | View → |
| 11746 | Huntington Station | 48 | 0 | View → |
| 11740 | Greenlawn | 47 | 0 | View → |
| 11901 | Riverhead | 32 | 1 | View → |
| 11747 | Melville | 29 | 0 | View → |
| 11937 | East Hampton | 29 | 0 | View → |
| 11724 | Cold Spring Harbor | 28 | 0 | View → |
| 11731 | East Northport | 20 | 0 | View → |
| 11721 | Centerport | 19 | 0 | View → |
| 11725 | Commack | 19 | 0 | View → |
| 11768 | Northport | 19 | 0 | View → |
| 11933 | Calverton | 3 | 1 | View → |
| 11949 | Manorville | 3 | 1 | View → |
| 11792 | Wading River | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 11931 | Aquebogue | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 11948 | Laurel | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 11970 | South Jamesport | 2 | 1 | View → |
| 11946 | Hampton Bays | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 11702 | Babylon | 1 | 0 | View → |
| 11729 | Deer Park | 1 | 0 | View → |
What are EPA health violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the legal limit designed to protect human health. Suffolk County has 7 such violations. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Suffolk County has a score of 84/100 (Grade B) across 88 scored of 117 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Suffolk County, New York?
Suffolk County has 21 community water systems with 360 recorded EPA violations, including 7 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Suffolk County have?
Suffolk County has 360 total EPA violations across 110 directly mapped ZIP records. 7 are health-based.
Which city in Suffolk County has the most water violations?
Huntington Station has the most violations in Suffolk County with 48 recorded EPA violations across 1 ZIP code.
What contaminants are found in Suffolk County water?
Suffolk County water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Suffolk County?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).