Lead in Drinking Water — New York City Department of...
New York City Department of Environmental Protection · Arverne, NY · 8,271,000 people served
Data: EPA SDWIS, ECHO, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report
Lead Detected in New York City Department of Environmental Protection
Lead was detected at 10 ppb in the New York City Department of Environmental Protection water system serving Arverne, Astoria, Bayside, Bellerose, Breezy Point (NY), approaching the EPA limit of 15 ppb (action level).
This system serves approximately 8,271,000 people across 296 ZIP codes.
Data source: 2025 Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) and EPA SDWIS/ECHO.
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 10 μg/L | 15 μg/L | Within Limit |
Health Effects of Lead
Lead is a potent neurotoxin with no safe level of exposure. In children, lead exposure causes developmental delays, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems. In adults, lead causes high blood pressure, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, and reproductive problems. Pregnant women face increased risk of premature birth and reduced fetal growth. The CDC and EPA agree there is no safe blood lead level in children.
Source: CDC — Lead in Drinking Water; EPA.
EPA Standard
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for lead is 15 ppb (action level), governed by the Lead and Copper Rule (LCRR/LCRI). Water systems that exceed this limit must notify consumers and take corrective action.
What You Can Do
- Run cold water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it for drinking or cooking — this flushes standing water that may have absorbed lead from pipes
- Use only cold water for cooking and preparing baby formula — hot water dissolves lead faster
- Install a point-of-use filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead removal
- Consider a reverse osmosis (RO) system for comprehensive lead removal (certified to NSF 58)
- Get your water tested — contact your utility or use an EPA-certified lab
- If your home was built before 1986, have a licensed plumber inspect for lead service lines
Recommended Water Filters
The most effective treatment for lead removal is Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block.
| Filter Type | Effectiveness | NSF Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | 95-99% | NSF 58 | Most effective; removes lead from the water molecule level |
| Carbon Block Filter | 95-99% | NSF 53 | Must be certified specifically for lead; not all carbon filters qualify |
| Distillation | 99%+ | NSF 62 | Very effective but slow; best for small quantities |
ZIP Codes Served by This System
Check water quality for your specific ZIP code:
- 10001
- 10002
- 10003
- 10004
- 10005
- 10006
- 10007
- 10008
- 10009
- 10010
- 10011
- 10012
- 10013
- 10014
- 10015
- 10016
- 10017
- 10018
- 10019
- 10020
- ...and 276 more ZIP codes
Related Resources
- New York City Department of Environmental Protection — Full Water System Profile
- Lead in Drinking Water — Overview
- EPA: Lead
Detected Levels
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | 10 μg/L | 15 μg/L | Within Limit |
Recommended Water Filters
The most effective treatment for lead removal is Reverse Osmosis or NSF 53 Carbon Block.
| Filter Type | Effectiveness | NSF Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Osmosis (RO) | 95-99% | NSF 58 | Most effective; removes lead from the water molecule level |
| Carbon Block Filter | 95-99% | NSF 53 | Must be certified specifically for lead; not all carbon filters qualify |
| Distillation | 99%+ | NSF 62 | Very effective but slow; best for small quantities |