Is Buffalo tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Buffalo's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

77/100
Purity Score
2
Issues Found
5.6 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

2 Issues Detected in Buffalo

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Buffalo

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Buffalo
New York

142,011,420,214,203 · Lake Erie

Buffalo, NY Water Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 1.2M residents
See Best Filters for Buffalo
77
Purity Score

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
8.5 ppb
Nitrate
0.6 mg/L
Arsenic
0.3 mg/L
Hardness
5.6 gpg

Health Insights

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

Score

77 /100
Good
"Good" threshold (70)

Buffalo tap water is sourced from Lake Erie and treated by Erie County Water Authority. Overall purity score: 77/100 (Good). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Buffalo's 2 issues.

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Buffalo Water FAQ

Is Buffalo NY tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Buffalo tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 77/100 (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 Buffalo NY use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Buffalo uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.2 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.
How hard is Buffalo NY water and what is the TDS level?
Buffalo water hardness is 5.6 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 155 ppm (good). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Buffalo NY drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Buffalo drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Buffalo?
Based on Buffalo's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Buffalo has elevated chlorine residuals. An under-sink carbon filter removes chlorine and disinfection byproducts at the tap.

Nearby Reports

TroyNew York — 82/100SchenectadyNew 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
  • Erie County Water Authority CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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