Highland Water District
EPA ID: NY5503368 · 4,000 people served · 1 ZIP code
Tallying the federal enforcement file for Highland Water District yields 9 open violations that have not been formally closed — each finding sits in the EPA database while the utility continues to deliver water to approximately 4,000 residents and works through the required corrective action process.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Highland Water District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Highland Water District serves a community with a median household income of $89,096 and an estimated 13,818 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Highland Water District'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 Ulster 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Highland Water District compares to EPA limits
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.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 2806 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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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
Highland Water District (EPA ID: NY5503368) is a community water system in New York that serves approximately 4,000 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 12528 in Highland.
Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2829 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2806 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2959 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | Yes |
| Contaminant 2806 | Other Violation | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2049 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2829 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2959 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12528 | 0.00594 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: 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.
- 12528 — Highland
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Highland Water District (NY5503368) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Water District water safe to drink?
Highland Water District has recorded 3 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 Highland Water District serve?
Highland Water District serves approximately 4,000 people across 1 ZIP code in New York.
Where does Highland Water District get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
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
Highland Water District (EPA ID: NY5503368) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.