A83/100
OCWA — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 350,000 people · New York
Water Source
Surface Water
County
—
System ID
NY3304336
Violations
3
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
chlorate | 300.00 µg/L | — | Above Goal |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.007 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Above Goal |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2010.
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 OCWA
Is OCWA water safe to drink?
OCWA water receives a grade of A (83/100), which is considered excellent. Out of 76 contaminants tested, none exceed EPA legal limits. 2 contaminant(s) exceed non-enforceable health goals. The water meets federal safety standards.
What contaminants has OCWA detected?
76 contaminants were tested in OCWA's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), chlorate. No contaminants exceed EPA legal limits. 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does OCWA have any EPA violations?
Yes, OCWA has 3 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2010. Violation types include TT, MR. 2 are health-based violations.
How many people does OCWA serve?
OCWA serves approximately 350,000 people, New York. The system provides water to 1 community: Syracuse (C).
What type of water does OCWA provide?
OCWA 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 NY3304336.
How does OCWA compare to other utilities in New York?
OCWA scores 83/100 with a grade of A (excellent). This places it among the higher-performing utilities in the state. Visit our New York state page for a full comparison of water systems.