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New York City System

New York, NY · serves 8,271,000 · Surface waterNY7003493
All clear
All monitored contaminants within federal limits. Last updated from the most recent CCR and EPA monitoring data available.
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Measured in your 2025 water report
From your utility's Consumer Confidence Report · 43 contaminants tested
Above limit
Approaching limit
Within limits
Regulated contaminants — legally enforceable limits
Barium▸
0.02 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal found in mineral deposits. Enters water through erosion of natural deposits or discharge from drilling and metal refining operations.
Why it matters
At high levels, barium can cause increased blood pressure. Levels well below the MCL of 2 mg/L are not a health concern.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. Barium is rarely found near its MCL in treated drinking water.
EDB▸
0.000011 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Fluoride▸
0.7 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Naturally occurring mineral, also added to many water systems to prevent tooth decay. The MCL (4 mg/L) is much higher than the typical added amount (0.7 mg/L).
Why it matters
At levels near the MCL, long-term exposure can cause skeletal fluorosis (bone pain and tenderness). The secondary standard of 2 mg/L triggers a required public notice about dental fluorosis risk in children.
What to do
Levels below 2 mg/L are within the range considered safe. If above 2 mg/L, children under 9 may be at risk for dental fluorosis — talk to your pediatric dentist.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found lower IQ in children and potential thyroid disruption at concentrations as low as 1.5 mg/L — 3x below the US federal limit.
Nitrate (as N)▸
0.14 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Comes from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. One of the most common groundwater contaminants in agricultural areas.
Why it matters
Nitrate above 10 mg/L can cause "blue baby syndrome" (methemoglobinemia) in infants under 6 months — it interferes with blood's ability to carry oxygen. Adults can tolerate higher levels.
What to do
If you have an infant on formula and your water is above 5 mg/L, consider using bottled water for formula preparation. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrate — it concentrates it.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found neural tube defects, preterm birth, and low birth weight at concentrations as low as 5 mg/L — 2x below the US federal limit.
Lead & copper — tested at your tap
Copper▸
0.194 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Leaches from copper household plumbing and pipes. Some copper is a normal part of drinking water infrastructure.
Why it matters
Short-term exposure above the action level of 1.3 mg/L can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. At typical detected levels (well below the AL), copper is not a health concern.
What to do
If above the action level, run your tap for 30 seconds before drinking. Copper levels decrease as water flows through the pipes.
Lead▸
0.01 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Lead in drinking water almost always comes from your home's plumbing — not from the water source or treatment plant. Lead pipes, solder, and brass fixtures can leach lead, especially if water sits in pipes for hours.
Why it matters
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low levels can harm children's brain development, and cause kidney and blood pressure problems in adults. The action level of 15 µg/L is a regulatory trigger, not a safety threshold.
What to do
Run your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning. Use cold water for cooking and formula — hot water leaches more lead. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead removal is the most reliable protection.
What the research says
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead crosses the placenta and causes preterm birth and cognitive impairment in children at blood lead levels below 10 µg/dL.
Disinfection byproducts
BCAA▸
1.4 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
HAA6Br▸
47 µg/L
What is it?
Another group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. HAA5 measures the five most common species.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 60 µg/L (0.060 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk. Like THMs, the MCL is based on a running annual average.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce HAA5. If your system consistently approaches the limit, a reverse osmosis filter provides more complete removal.
TTHM▸
52 µg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Includes chloroform, bromoform, and related compounds. The trade-off: disinfection prevents waterborne disease, but creates these byproducts.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 80 µg/L (0.080 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk and possible reproductive effects. The MCL is based on a running annual average, not a single sample.
What to do
If your system is near or above the limit, an activated carbon filter (including pitcher filters like Brita) can reduce THMs. Running water for a minute before drinking also helps, as THMs are volatile and dissipate.
Disinfectants — MRDL
Chlorine▸
0.6 mg/L
MRDLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Added intentionally to kill bacteria and viruses. A chlorine residual in your tap water means the disinfection is still active through the distribution system — this is by design.
Why it matters
The MRDL of 4 mg/L is the maximum allowed. Typical levels are 0.5–2 mg/L. Chlorine at normal levels is not a health concern — the disease risk from untreated water is far greater.
What to do
If you don't like the taste, let water sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes or use an activated carbon filter. Both remove chlorine taste and odor.
WHO recommendation
Manganese▸
0.021 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal that enters water through eroding rocks and soils, and occasionally from industrial sources. Common in groundwater, especially in some regions of the Midwest and Northeast.
Why it matters
Manganese is essential in small amounts but a developmental neurotoxin at higher exposures. Studies have linked manganese in drinking water to attention and learning difficulties in children, including ADHD, with effects detectable at levels below the EPA's aesthetic standard of 0.05 mg/L. The WHO sets a provisional health-based guideline of 0.08 mg/L; some researchers argue this should be lower. Infants drinking formula made with manganese-rich water may be particularly exposed. EPA's 0.05 mg/L secondary standard exists to prevent black or brown staining on laundry and fixtures — not as a health protection.
What to do
If manganese is at or near WHO's 0.08 mg/L guideline, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes most manganese. Activated carbon and standard pitcher filters do not effectively remove dissolved manganese. For infant formula preparation, parents in areas with detectable manganese may want to use filtered or bottled water — this is what MDH (Minnesota) and several other state health departments now recommend.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found increased ADHD risk and lower IQ in children, with effects observed in a dose-response pattern from <5 µg/L upward (no clean threshold below which the association disappears) with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
Sodium▸
16 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
Naturally present in most water sources. Also increases from road salt, water softeners, and natural mineral deposits.
Why it matters
There is no federal MCL for sodium. The WHO suggests a guideline of 200 mg/L for people on sodium-restricted diets. For most people, sodium in water is a small fraction of dietary intake.
What to do
If you're on a sodium-restricted diet and your water is above 20 mg/L, talk to your doctor. For most people, no action needed.
OTHER
UV 254 (absorbance/cm)▸
0.032
No additional information available for this contaminant.
% of limit

Other measurements

These describe characteristics of the water that aren’t health risks at typical levels — mineral content, taste, hardness, and similar.

Hardness
▸
32 mg/L· soft
pH
▸
7.3 SU· neutral
Alkalinity
▸
25 mg/L
Aluminum
▸
0.016 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.2 mg/L)
Calcium
▸
9 mg/L
Chloride
▸
19 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
Color
▸
7 color units
(EPA secondary standard: 15 color units)
Corrosivity
▸
-2.13
Iron
▸
0.027 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.3 mg/L)
Magnesium
▸
2.4 mg/L
Phosphate
▸
2.2 mg/L
Potassium
▸
0.9 mg/L
Specific Conductance
▸
126 µmhos/cm
(EPA secondary standard: 1600 µmhos/cm)
Sulfate
▸
6 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
TDS
▸
73 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 500 mg/L)
TOC
▸
1.8 mg/L

CCR data in early access — values are extracted from utility PDFs and may contain errors. Verify with your utility's 2025 CCR report.

Source: NEW YORK CITY SYSTEM Consumer Confidence Report 2025 · Extracted by WaterScore
Measured data
Private Well Risk

Do you have or use a private well? Measured concentrations from nearby private wells sampled within 5 miles.

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2 sites within 10 mi
Nearby Superfund Sites

2 EPA Superfund sites within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily mean your water is affected.

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Blended supply
Water Sources

New York uses both groundwater and surface water sources, giving it more supply flexibility during drought conditions. Emergency backup sources are available if primary supplies are disrupted.

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Spatial context
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