Is Schenectady tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Schenectady's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

82/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
2.8 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Schenectady

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Schenectady

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Schenectady
New York

123,011,230,312,304 · Schenectady Reservoir

Schenectady, NY Water Quality Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 67,465 residents
See Best Filters for Schenectady
82
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
5 ppb
Nitrate
0.4 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
2.8 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Schenectady's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

82 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Schenectady tap water is sourced from Schenectady Reservoir and treated by Schenectady Water Department. Overall purity score: 82/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

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Best filters matched to Schenectady's 2 issues.

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Schenectady Water FAQ

Is Schenectady NY tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Schenectady tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 82/100 (Good) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Schenectady NY use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Schenectady uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.1 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Schenectady NY water and what is the TDS level?
Schenectady water hardness is 2.8 grains per gallon (soft) with a TDS of 90 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Schenectady NY drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Schenectady drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Schenectady?
Based on Schenectady's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Schenectady has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

BuffaloNew York — 77/100TroyNew York — 82/100RochesterNew York — 82/100YonkersNew York — 82/100AlbanyNew York — 82/100UticaNew York — 85/100

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Schenectady Water Department CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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