Ocwa
EPA ID: NY3304336 · 350,000 people served · 69 ZIP codes
Federal compliance records for Ocwa list 5 open violations that have not yet been resolved — the utility serves approximately 350,000 people, and each outstanding finding remains logged and active in the EPA enforcement database.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 39 (2021) to 1 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Ocwa Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Ocwa serves a community with a median household income of $78,550 and an estimated 606,156 residents across its service area. Approximately 75% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 33% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Ocwa's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Onondaga County, New York rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 66th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Ocwa compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 3 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 5 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Barium at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 56 detections recorded.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in New York
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
OCWA (EPA ID: NY3304336) is a community water system in New York that serves approximately 350,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 69 ZIP codes across 41 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (46/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Contaminant 0800 | Health-based | Resolved |
| February 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | E. coli | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2049 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Lead | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barium | Inorganic | 9 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 7 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 5 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 3 | No |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other Violation | 3 | No |
| Contaminant 2829 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Nitrate | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1920 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2454 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0800 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Health Risk Details
E. coli (EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action))
Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children At-risk groups: children under 5, elderly, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women.
Removal methods: UV disinfection (99.99%), chlorination, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L)
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns At-risk groups: pregnant women, long-term consumers of chlorinated water, people who frequently shower in chlorinated water.
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), carbon block filter, point-of-entry aeration. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13201 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13204 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13205 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13206 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13208 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13209 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13211 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13212 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13214 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13215 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13217 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13218 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13219 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13220 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13221 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13225 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13235 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13250 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13251 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 13252 | 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 51 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 18 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 69 ZIP codes:
13027 · 13029 · 13030 · 13031 · 13032 13035 · 13036 · 13037 · 13039 · 13041 13042 · 13057 · 13060 · 13066 · 13069 13074 · 13076 · 13078 · 13080 · 13082 13084 · 13088 · 13090 · 13104 · 13108 13110 · 13112 · 13115 · 13116 · 13120 13126 · 13131 · 13132 · 13135 · 13152 13157 · 13159 · 13164 · 13167 · 13201 13202 · 13203 · 13204 · 13205 · 13206 13207 · 13208 · 13209 · 13210 · 13211 13212 · 13214 · 13215 · 13217 · 13218 13219 · 13220 · 13221 · 13224 · 13225 13235 · 13244 · 13250 · 13251 · 13252 13261 · 13290 · 13308 · 13316
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Ocwa (NY3304336) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocwa water safe to drink?
Ocwa has recorded 13 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Ocwa serve?
Ocwa serves approximately 350,000 people across 69 ZIP codes in New York.
Where does Ocwa get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Ocwa (EPA ID: NY3304336) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.