New York City System
EPA ID: NY7003493 · 8,271,000 people served · 304 ZIP codes
Federal data shows 23 unresolved violations at New York City System — roughly 8,271,000 residents in the service area.
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 6 (2021) to 152 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for New York City System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The New York City System serves a community with a median household income of $87,059 and an estimated 8,638,668 residents across its service area. Approximately 82% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 43% 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?
New York City System'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 New York 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 85th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How New York City System 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.
Chloroform at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L.
Contaminant 2806 at 15 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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 1 DBP Rule at 4 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. 17 detections recorded. 5 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS). 1 exceeds state limits.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →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
New York City System (EPA ID: NY7003493) is a community water system in New York that serves approximately 8,271,000 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 304 ZIP codes across 49 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (67/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2025 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2428 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2023 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 2806 | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2806 | Other Violation | 15 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 4 | Yes |
| Chloroform | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2428 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10001 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10002 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10003 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10004 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10005 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10006 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10007 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10008 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10009 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10010 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10011 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10012 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10013 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10014 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10015 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10016 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10017 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10018 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10019 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 10020 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
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: 206 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 98 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 304 ZIP codes:
10001 · 10002 · 10003 · 10004 · 10005 10006 · 10007 · 10008 · 10009 · 10010 10011 · 10012 · 10013 · 10014 · 10015 10016 · 10017 · 10018 · 10019 · 10020 10021 · 10022 · 10023 · 10024 · 10025 10026 · 10027 · 10028 · 10029 · 10030 10031 · 10032 · 10033 · 10034 · 10035 10036 · 10037 · 10038 · 10039 · 10040 10041 · 10043 · 10044 · 10045 · 10047 10055 · 10060 · 10065 · 10069 · 10075 10079 · 10080 · 10081 · 10082 · 10087 10090 · 10095 · 10096 · 10098 · 10099 10101 · 10102 · 10103 · 10104 · 10105 10106 · 10107 · 10108 · 10109 · 10110 10111 · 10112 · 10113 · 10114 · 10115 10116 · 10117 · 10118 · 10119 · 10120 10121 · 10122 · 10123 · 10124 · 10125 10126 · 10128 · 10129 · 10130 · 10131 10132 · 10133 · 10138 · 10150 · 10151 10152 · 10153 · 10154 · 10155 · 10156 10157 · 10158 · 10159 · 10160 · 10161 10162 · 10163 · 10164 · 10165 · 10166 10167 · 10168 · 10169 · 10170 · 10171 10172 · 10173 · 10174 · 10175 · 10176 10177 · 10178 · 10179 · 10184 · 10185 10196 · 10199 · 10200 · 10203 · 10211 10212 · 10213 · 10242 · 10249 · 10256 10257 · 10258 · 10259 · 10260 · 10261 10265 · 10268 · 10269 · 10270 · 10271 10272 · 10273 · 10274 · 10275 · 10276 10277 · 10278 · 10279 · 10280 · 10281 10282 · 10285 · 10286 · 10292 · 10301 10302 · 10303 · 10304 · 10305 · 10306 10307 · 10308 · 10309 · 10310 · 10311 10312 · 10314 · 10451 · 10452 · 10453 10454 · 10455 · 10456 · 10457 · 10458 10459 · 10460 · 10461 · 10462 · 10463 10464 · 10465 · 10466 · 10467 · 10468 10469 · 10470 · 10471 · 10472 · 10473 10474 · 10475 · 10550 · 10595 · 10803 11001 · 11004 · 11005 · 11040 · 11101 11102 · 11103 · 11104 · 11105 · 11106 11109 · 11120 · 11201 · 11203 · 11204 11205 · 11206 · 11207 · 11208 · 11209 11210 · 11211 · 11212 · 11213 · 11214 11215 · 11216 · 11217 · 11218 · 11219 11220 · 11221 · 11222 · 11223 · 11224 11225 · 11226 · 11228 · 11229 · 11230 11231 · 11232 · 11233 · 11234 · 11235 11236 · 11237 · 11238 · 11239 · 11249 11354 · 11355 · 11356 · 11357 · 11358 11360 · 11361 · 11362 · 11363 · 11364 11365 · 11366 · 11367 · 11368 · 11369 11370 · 11372 · 11373 · 11374 · 11375 11377 · 11378 · 11379 · 11385 · 11411 11412 · 11413 · 11414 · 11415 · 11416 11417 · 11418 · 11419 · 11420 · 11421 11422 · 11423 · 11424 · 11426 · 11427 11428 · 11429 · 11430 · 11432 · 11433 11434 · 11435 · 11436 · 11439 · 11691 11692 · 11693 · 11694 · 11697
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for New York City System (NY7003493) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York City System water safe to drink?
New York City System has recorded 19 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 New York City System serve?
New York City System serves approximately 8,271,000 people across 304 ZIP codes in New York.
Where does New York City System 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.
Contact information from New York City Department of Environmental Protection 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: New York City Department of Environmental Protection Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
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.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from New York City Department of Environmental Protection 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: 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 →
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.
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 New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.
New York City expanded a free Lead Service Line Replacement Program in 2025 to eligible properties in the Bronx and Queens, made possible through $72 million in grants and interest-free loans funded in part by the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and in part by the New York state loan forgiveness program.
Lead Service Line Replacement Tracker
This water utility's lead service line (LSL) replacement program is tracked from public Consumer Confidence Report filings. Email signup notifies subscribers when the utility files an updated replacement plan or progress milestone.
New York City Department of Environmental Protection
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. LSL replacement-program data is sourced from public CCR filings published by the utility. Subscription notifications are based on automated parsing of subsequent CCR releases.
Learn more about Lead and Copper Rule replacement requirements →
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.
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.
Aesthetic measurements from New York City Department of Environmental Protection 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.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
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
New York City System (EPA ID: NY7003493) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.