New York Water Quality Report 2026

10 cities11,370,647 residentsUpdated March 2026

B82.7/100State Average
New York has 10 cities in our database, serving approximately 11,370,647 residents. The average PurityMap score is 82.7/100 (Grade: B), which is 4.8 points above the US average of 77.9/100. New York City has the cleanest water (85/100) while Buffalo scores lowest (77/100) due to elevated lead.
Is New York Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Filtration Recommended

New York tap water is safe — filtration recommended based on our analysis of 10 water systems serving 11,370,647 residents. The average PurityMap score is 82.7/100 (Grade: B), which is 4.8 points above the national average.

  • 6 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
  • 6 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

New York water is generally good quality. A carbon pitcher or faucet filter removes chlorine taste and provides extra protection. No major filtration investment is needed for most residents.

All 10 cities in New York meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
New York at a Glance
82.7Avg Purity Score
3.2Avg Hardness (GPG)
Soft
0Cities with PFAS
0Cities with Hard Water
5.2Avg Lead (ppb)
92Avg TDS (ppm)

New York is 4.8 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 3.1 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in New York
Cleanest

New York City

85/100

Source: Catskill Delaware and Croton watersheds

Most Concerns

Buffalo

77/100

elevated lead

Cities with Most Water Concerns in New York

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Buffalo 77/1005.6 GPG8.5 ppbLead (8.5 ppb)
2Rochester 82/1005.7 GPG6.2 ppbLead (6.2 ppb)
3Yonkers 82/1002.6 GPG5.8 ppbLead (5.8 ppb)
4Albany 82/1003.5 GPG5.5 ppbLead (5.5 ppb)
5Troy 82/1003.0 GPG5.2 ppbLead (5.2 ppb)
6Schenectady 82/1002.8 GPG5.0 ppbLead (5.0 ppb)
7New York City 85/1001.6 GPG2.0 ppbLead 2.0 ppb
8Syracuse 85/1002.5 GPG4.5 ppbLead 4.5 ppb
9Utica 85/1002.5 GPG4.8 ppbLead 4.8 ppb
10New Rochelle 85/1002.0 GPG4.5 ppbLead 4.5 ppb
Score Distribution

How New York's 10 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
4 cities
Good (70–84)
6 cities
Moderate (60–69)
0 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in New York — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.











CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
New York City8.4M 85/1001.6 GPG—
Buffalo1.2M 77/1005.6 GPGLead
Rochester750K 82/1005.7 GPGLead
Syracuse450K 85/1002.5 GPG—
Yonkers212K 82/1002.6 GPGLead
Albany98K 82/1003.5 GPGLead
New Rochelle80K 85/1002.0 GPG—
Schenectady67K 82/1002.8 GPGLead
Utica62K 85/1002.5 GPG—
Troy51K 82/1003.0 GPGLead
Hard Water in New York

New York generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 3.2 GPG (Soft). Most residents do not need a softener.

PFAS in New York Water

Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any New York cities in our database as of 2026.

Lead in New York Water

6 cities in New York have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: Buffalo at 8.5 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Albany, Troy, Schenectady.

Lead Guide Under-Sink Filters
Water Sources in New York

Where New York gets its drinking water, based on 10 water systems.


Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water10100%
Recommended Filter for New York

6 cities have elevated lead. NSF 53 under-sink filter or RO recommended.

All New York Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Buffalo1.2M 77/1005.6 GPG (Moderate)8.5 ppb✅ No155 ppm
2Rochester750K 82/1005.7 GPG (Moderate)6.2 ppb✅ No160 ppm
3Yonkers212K 82/1002.6 GPG (Soft)5.8 ppb✅ No65 ppm
4Albany98K 82/1003.5 GPG (Soft)5.5 ppb✅ No125 ppm
5Troy51K 82/1003.0 GPG (Soft)5.2 ppb✅ No100 ppm
6Schenectady67K 82/1002.8 GPG (Soft)5.0 ppb✅ No90 ppm
7New York City8.4M 85/1001.6 GPG (Soft)2.0 ppb✅ No38 ppm
8Syracuse450K 85/1002.5 GPG (Soft)4.5 ppb✅ No60 ppm
9Utica62K 85/1002.5 GPG (Soft)4.8 ppb✅ No75 ppm
10New Rochelle80K 85/1002.0 GPG (Soft)4.5 ppb✅ No50 ppm
Water Utilities in New York

New York has 9 utilities. Major: NYC Dept of Environmental Protection, Erie County Water Authority, Monroe County Water Authority, Westchester Joint Water Works, Onondaga County Water Authority.

Sources: Catskill Delaware and Croton watersheds, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Catskill watershed, Skaneateles Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in New York?
New York City scores highest at 85/100. Source: Catskill Delaware and Croton watersheds.
Which city has the worst water in New York?
Buffalo scores lowest at 77/100 due to elevated lead.
Is New York water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 3.2 GPG (Soft). 3.1 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG. 0 of 10 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in New York water?
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any New York cities in our database as of 2026.
What water filter should I use in New York?
6 cities have elevated lead. NSF 53 under-sink filter or RO recommended.
How does New York water compare to the US average?
Score: 82.7/100 (4.8 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 3.2 GPG (3.1 GPG below US avg 6.3).
Where does New York get its drinking water?Where does New York get its drinking water?
New York water comes from: Surface Water: 10 cities (100%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All New York Cities with Water Reports

10 city water quality reports available for New York.

10 Reports
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Showing all 10 cities
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