D33/100
NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 8,271,000 people · New York
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
NY7003493
Violations
24
Contaminant Test Results
1 contaminant above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.010 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2017.
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM
Is NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM water safe to drink?
NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM water receives a grade of D (33/100), which is considered poor. 0 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 24 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM detected?
76 contaminants were tested in NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile). No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 1 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM have any EPA violations?
Yes, NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM has 24 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2017. Violation types include TT, MR, MCL. 10 are health-based violations.
How many people does NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM serve?
NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM serves approximately 8,271,000 people, New York. The system provides water to 1 community: New York (C).
What type of water does NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM provide?
NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM sources its water from surface water. Surface water comes from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs and typically requires more extensive treatment. The utility's system ID is NY7003493.
How does NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM compare to other utilities in New York?
NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM scores 33/100 with a grade of D (poor). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our New York state page for a full comparison of water systems.