Tompkins County, New York
20 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
The latest EPA cycle for Tompkins County covers 20 ZIP codes and shows a low safety grade — systemic compliance gaps have persisted over multiple reporting periods, and the county has not moved out of the bottom tier in recent years.
How Tompkins County Compares
How Tompkins County Compares
Tompkins County scores 7 points below the New York state average (61/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Tompkins 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: 10.2 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 8.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,943, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.464% avg pipe failure probability, 84% of ZIPs at high risk
75.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Tompkins County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2025 with 5 violations. Past 5 years: 6 total (6 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: $1,943
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
53,108 housing units in Tompkins 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 Tompkins County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Tompkins 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 Tompkins 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 Tompkins County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca City | 29,457 | 31 |
| 2 | Ithaca Town Water District | 13,000 | 31 |
| 3 | Cornell University | 31,581 | 24 |
| 4 | Cayuga Heights Village | 3,170 | 24 |
| 5 | Lansing (v) | 3,100 | 24 |
32 total water systems serve Tompkins County.
All ZIP Codes in Tompkins County
20 ZIP codes tracked in Tompkins County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14851 | Ithaca | 69 | C | 6 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 13068 | Freeville | 68 | C | 4 | $208K |
| 3 | 14817 | Brooktondale | 65 | C | 10 | $219K |
| 4 | 14852 | Ithaca | 65 | C | 6 (1 health) | — |
| 5 | 14853 | Ithaca | 65 | C | 6 (1 health) | — |
| 6 | 13073 | Groton | 61 | C | 8 | $168K |
| 7 | 14886 | Trumansburg | 61 | C | 7 (1 health) | $244K |
| 8 | 13053 | Dryden | 59 | C | 12 | $229K |
| 9 | 14850 | Ithaca | 59 | C | 6 (1 health) | $335K |
| 10 | 14882 | Lansing | 59 | C | 3 | $275K |
| 11 | 14867 | Newfield | 56 | C | 7 (1 health) | $164K |
| 12 | 13102 | Mc Lean | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 13864 | Willseyville | 53 | D | 0 | $133K |
| 14 | 14881 | Slaterville Springs | 45 | D | 0 | — |
| 15 | 10503 | Ardsley On Hudson | 40 | D | 0 | $678K |
| 16 | 10706 | Hastings On Hudson | 40 | D | 0 | $866K |
| 17 | 13062 | Etna | 40 | D | 0 | $253K |
| 18 | 14854 | Jacksonville | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 19 | 14863 | Mecklenburg | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 20 | 10502 | Ardsley | 35 | F | 0 | $819K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Tompkins County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 75.6% 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 Tompkins County, New York
Overview
Tompkins County in New York covers 20 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).
11 of 20 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 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
Tompkins 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
75.6% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.