Monitoring Violations NY

Saratoga Springs City

EPA ID: NY4500168 · 26,525 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Saratoga Springs City's current EPA file includes 1 unresolved violation — every outstanding finding is documented in federal records for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 26,525 residents across its service territory.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

B · 75
Avg Safety Score
26,525
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
7
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0034 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
5
Contaminants Flagged
$371K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2021) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Saratoga Springs City Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$97,998
Median Household Income
45,025
Service Area Population
6%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
51%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Saratoga Springs City serves a community with a median household income of $97,998 and an estimated 45,025 residents across its service area. Approximately 51% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Saratoga Springs City'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
70th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Saratoga 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 70th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.

Infrastructure Risk

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
29 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Saratoga Springs City compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 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.

Contaminant 2806 at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Contaminant 1052 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 2 detections recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.01 ppt, PFOS: 0.01 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

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

Brockport Village
25,918 people
C 6 violations
Auburn
27,179 people
C 4 violations
D 16 violations
Watertown City
27,861 people
D 10 violations
Glen Cove City
28,000 people
A 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $800
Flood Insurance $600
PFAS Treatment $250
Total Estimated Cost $1,650

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,650 (one-time) vs. $10,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Saratoga Springs City (EPA ID: NY4500168) is a community water system in New York that serves approximately 26,525 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: B (75/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

7 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2025 Lead Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
June 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Contaminant 1052 Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 2806 Other Violation 3 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Contaminant 1052 Other Violation 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
12866 0.0034 mg/L No N/A
12833 0.00135 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by NY or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

  • 12833 — Greenfield Center
  • 12866 — Saratoga Springs

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Saratoga Springs City (NY4500168) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Saratoga Springs City water safe to drink?

Saratoga Springs City has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Saratoga Springs City serve?

Saratoga Springs City serves approximately 26,525 people across 2 ZIP codes in New York.

Where does Saratoga Springs City get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(518) 587-3550, extension 2472

Contact information from City of Saratoga Springs Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Ultraviolet (UV)
Treatment chemicals reported
sodium hypochloritefluoridephosphate

Source: City of Saratoga Springs Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from City of Saratoga Springs Consumer Confidence Report:
The Bog Meadow Brook assessment found a moderate susceptibility to contamination. The Geyser Crest Subdivision assessment rated our water source as having an elevated susceptibility to microbial, nitrates, industrial solvents and other industrial contaminants. The Loughberry Lake Watershed assessment found an elevated susceptibility to contamination.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Advanced
Advanced treatment that may include ozonation, ultraviolet disinfection, activated-carbon filtration, or membrane filtration. Used when source water has elevated contamination risk or to remove disinfection byproducts.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
sodium hypochlorite
Corrosion inhibitor
Coats pipe interiors to reduce lead and copper leaching from premise plumbing.
phosphate
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

AgricultureIndustrial activityStorage tanksResidential land useMinesHazardous waste sites

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from City of Saratoga Springs Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

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.

Samples collected
174
Detections
4
Latest sample
10/16/2023
Highest analyte
PFBA: 8 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 8 ppt
PFPeA 3 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
1.8 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
0.5 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
1.8 ppt No federal limit set
PFHPA
Not yet EPA-regulated
0.81 ppt No federal limit set
PFHXS
Not yet EPA-regulated
0.6 ppt No federal limit set
PFHXA
Not yet EPA-regulated
1.8 ppt No federal limit set
PFBA
Not yet EPA-regulated
3.3 ppt No federal limit set
PFPEA
Not yet EPA-regulated
2 ppt No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by City of Saratoga Springs.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

88
Confirmed Lead
326
Galvanized — Replacement Required
2,527
Unknown Material
5,694
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 26,525
Reported to New York

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

Fluoride
0.65 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
129.6 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.

Aesthetic measurements from City of Saratoga Springs Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Saratoga Springs City safe to drink?
Saratoga Springs City earns a B safety grade with 7 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Saratoga Springs City's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Contaminant 2806, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Saratoga Springs City serve?
Saratoga Springs City serves approximately 26,525 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Saratoga Springs City's water source?
Saratoga Springs City draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Saratoga Springs City's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0034 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Saratoga Springs City's service area?
The Saratoga Springs City service area has a median household income of $97,998. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Saratoga Springs City get its water?
Saratoga Springs City'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Saratoga Springs City (EPA ID: NY4500168) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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